PRINCETON,    N.    J 

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PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  HAMBURG,  N.  J. 
1869-1881. 


HARDYSTON  MEMORIAL. 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE  TOWNSHIP 


-AND    THE- 


NORTH  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

HARDYSTON,  SUSSEX  COUNTY, 
NEW  JERSEY. 


BY  ALANSON   A.   HAINES,  PASTOR. 


Newton,  N.  J. 

NEW  JERSEY  HERALD  PRINT. 

1888. 


COPYRIGHTED. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER.  PAGE. 

J.     Indian  Inhabitants  and  Pioneer  Settlers  7 

II.     Some  Early  Settlers  and  their  Families      -  25 

III.  Early  Families  Continued                         -             -  48 

IV.  Revolutionary  Times                            -             -  69 
V.     Iron  Manufacture           -                           -             -  81 

VI.     Hamburg  and  Some  of  its  People      -  95 
VII.     The  Second  War  With  England  ;   Hamburg  and 
Paterson  Turnpike  Road  ;  Customs  and  Local 

History                                                                     -  108 

VIII.     Mexican  and  Civil  AVars      -  122 

IX.     Early  Churches                             -             -             -  130 
X.     North    Hardyston  and   Hamburg    Presbyterian 

Churches         -             -                                         -  146 

XL     Ministry  of  Dr.  Fairchild  and  Mr.  Campbell  152 
XII.     North  Church  Continued,  and  History  of  other 

Churches  in  Hardyston             -             -             -  160 

XIII.     Register  of  North  Presbyterian  Church      -  174 


PREFACE. 

The  purpose  in  preparing  this  volume  has  been  to  place  in 
durable  form  such  incidents  of  history  belonging  to  the  Town  and 
the  North  Church  of  llardyston  as  might  be  of  interest  to  those 
now  living,  as  well  as  of  value  for  future  reference.  The  work  is 
necessarily  imperfect,  for  only  what  is  remembered  can  be  re- 
corded, and  many  tilings  deserving  of  notice  have  passed  from 
memory.  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  the  effort  was  not  sooner 
made.  ( )ur  aged  people  have  been  rapidly  passing  away  and 
much  that  might  have  been  gathered  even  twenty  years  ago  is 
lost.  With  gleanings  from  all  available  sources  it  is  believed  that 
the  main  facts  of  local  history  have  been  secured  and  are  truth- 
fully presented. 

Grateful  acknowledgment  is  made  to  kind  friends  for  the 
generous  aid  they  have  given  in  the  compilation  of  the  work. 


CHAPTER  I. 

INDIAN    INHABITANTS   AND    FIRST   SETTLERS. 

When  the  first  settlers  came  to  these  regions  they  found  them 
already  in  possession  of  a  race  of  men  known  to  us  as  the  American 
Indians,  whose  origin  has  given  rise  to  much  discussion  among 
civilized  people.  Some  have  thought  them  indigenous  to  the 
land,  and  others  that  they  emigrated  from  the  old  world  over  both 
the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans,  or  came  down  by  way  of  Green- 
land, or  by  Behring  straits  to  Alaska.  They  have  peculiarities 
which  mark  them  as  a  distinct  race.  Their  features  and  habits 
were  such  that  they  cannot  be  allied  with  any  other  type  of  men, 
but  remain  separate  by  themselves.  Had  adventerous  crews  or 
stranded  ships  brought  their  progenitors  here,  hundreds  and  even 
thousands  of  years  ago,  resemblances  could  have  been  traced  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  old  world,  whether  they  came  from  eastern 
Asia,  western  Europe,  or  Africa. 

That  they  had  been  very  numerous,  we  judge  from  thei1* 
sepulchers  which  are  often  invaded  by  the  spade  of  the  excavator. 
Where  the  plow  turns  the  soil,  we  find  every  year,  the  stone 
implements  and  flint  arrow-heads  of  a  prehistoric  age.  These 
are  the  principal  Indian  relics  that  remain  to  us.  They  are  so 
abundant  and  are  found  in  so  many  localities  as  to  prove  the 
number  and  general  diffusion  of  the  old  inhabitants.  These  stone 
implements  are  of  great  variety  and  some  of  exquisite  finish. 
They  are  made  of  honestone,  jasper,  chalcedony  and  flint.  They 
are  adapted  to  warlike,  hunting  and  fishing  purposes,  as  well  as  to 
the  requirements  of  common  life.  There  are  arrow  and  lance 
heads,  axes,  some  of  which  are  grooved  for  handles,  knives,  hammer 
stones,  pestals  and  mortars.  The  chisels  and  gouges  were  used 
in  peeling  bark  from  trees,  and  shaping  the  wood  for  purposes  in 
which   it   was   employed.     Their  pipes   were   of  various  forms, 


O  1IARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

beautifully  polished,  the  bore  being  true,  and  they  were  fitted 
to  a  wooden  stem  which  was  ornamented. 

The  mound  builders  were  evidently  a  more  cultivated  people 
who  subsisted  largely  upon  the  products  of  the  soil.  The  modern 
Indians,  when  first  discovered,  were  to  some  extent  agricultural. 
They  protected  their  villages  by  stockades  and  ditches,  and  were 
expert  in  many  industrial  pursuits.  Their  mats  and  baskets,  their 
fishing  nets  and  feather  cloaks,  have  long  disappeared.  They  had 
ornaments  and  beads,  and  belts  decorated  with  wampum,  made 
with  great  skill  and  perseverance. 

It  has  been  customary  to  speak  of  the  Indian  as  the  untutored 
savage.  The  habits  of  the  Indians  were  different  from  our  own, 
but  suited  to  the  forest  life  they  led.  From  the  narrations  of 
those  who  lived  with  them,  as  the  boys  captured  and  adopted  into 
their  tribes  and  afterwards  released,  we  may  believe  that  their 
lodges  were  abodes  of  happiness  and,  according  to  their  primitive 
tastes,  even  of  comfort.  To  suppose  that  they  were  so  inferior  to 
white  men  as  to  have  no  refinement  of  sentiment  and  attraction  in 
character  and  bearing,  would  be  a  great  mistake.  They  were 
without  a  written  language,  but  by  certain  marks  and  pictured 
signs  could  convey  news  of  victories  and  losses,  and  the  numbers 
of  their  own  forces  and  of  their  enemies  on  a  campaign.  They  had 
their  legends  in  poetic  form,  which  they  committed  to  memory  and 
handed  down  from  generation  to  generation,  and  sang  around 
their  fires.  But  they  had  no  Homer  to  gather  these  legends  and 
clothe  them  in  immortal  verse,  and  tell  of  some  Indian  Achilles 
or  Hector  of  undying  fame. 

The  language  of  the  Delawares  was  said,  by  those  who  under- 
stood and  could  appreciate  it,  to  have  been  poetic  and  beautiful. 
Their  young  braves  were  handsome.  Their  old  chiefs  were  venerable 
in  appearance.  The  young  were  tall,  erect,  and  moved  with  grace- 
fulness. They  were  agile  and  skillful  in  capturtng  the  game  with 
which  the  woods  abounded  and  upon  which  they  largely  fed.  The 
fish  were  abundant  in  the  streams  and  lakes,  and  were  taken  with 
bone  hooks,  or  speared  at  night,  when  they  were  attracted  to  the 
water's  surface  by  the  waving  of  flaming  torches.  The  whites 
learned  lessons  in  hunting  and  fishing  from  the  Indians,  and  made 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AMD    FIRST    SETTLERS.  9 

good  use  of  the  wood  craft  they  derived  from  them.  Our  baskets 
of  oak  splints  are  some  of  them  still  made  upon  their  old 
patterns.  The  Indians  raised  corn,  pumpkins,  squashes, 
beans,  and  other  vegetables,  around  their  lodges.  These 
were  cultivated  by  their  squaws  and  the  smaller  boys,  while  the 
men  prided  themselves  on  their  prowess  as  hunters  and  trappers. 
They  planted  orchards  of  apple,  plum  and  cherry  trees.  In 
my  boyhood  there  were  Indian  orchards  still  bearing  fruit  in  old 
age,  and  some  of  their  descendants  may  still  be  found,  where  a 
native  specimen  stands  by  itself  without  mixture  with  those  of 
European  origin.  Fifty  years  ago  there  were  in  this  neighborhood 
several  flats  called  "  plum  bottoms,''  that  produced  the  red  Indian 
fruit  in  great  profusion.  The  Indians  had  several  varieties  of 
cherries.  The  berries  were  mostly  growing  wild,  although  the 
red  raspberries  seems  to  have  been  planted  and  cultivated  by  them. 
The  government  of  the  Indians  may  be  described  as  simple 
and  patriarchal,  and  the  chiefs  exercised  their  authority  for  the 
good  of  all  the  tribe.  The  sentiment  of  exact  justice  prevailed, 
and  harmony  and  good  feeling  were  preserved. 

The  Lenni-Lenapi,  called  Delawares,  from  living  in  the 
regions  adjoining  the  Delaware  River,  are  the  Indians  with 
whom  our  immediate  territory  had  the  most  to  do.  In  many 
respects  they  are  the  most  interesting  of  the  Indian  tribes  known 
to  us,  from  their  historical  legends  and  their  intercourse  with  the 
early  settlers.  If  the  historian  Palfrey  gives  a  correct  view  of 
the  Indians  of  New  England,  our  Delawares  were  vastly  their 
superiors.  Their  language  has  been  pronounced  the  most  ex- 
pressive of  all  the  Indian  tongues.  They  claimed  to  have  been 
the  earliest  comers  of  all  the  Algonquin  tribes,  and  were  called 
the  grandfathers  of  the  nations.  They  were  naturally  of  a 
peaceful  disposition,  and  often  the  arbitrators  between  the  tribes 
at  war. 

One  remarkable  tradition  of  the  Lenni-Lenapi  survives,  and 
we  may  regard  it  as  their  traditional  account  of  the  subjugation 
and  expulsion  of  the  race  known  to  us  as  the  "  Mound  Builders,"" 
whose  gigantic  works  extend  along  the  entire  length  of  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  rivers  and  are  found  at  points  in  the  Middle  States. 


10  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

"  Hundreds  of  years  ago,"  they  said,  "  they  resided  in  a  far  away 
country  toward  the  West.  As  they  journeyed  toward  the  sun, 
they  found  the  country  east  of  the  Mississippi  possessed  by  a 
people,  the  Allegewi,  who  had  many  large  towns.  A  great  war 
ensued,  in  which  the  Allegewi  were  defeated  and  fled  down  the 
Mississippi,  and  the  Lenni-Lenapi  occupied  their  country  in 
common  with  the  Iroquois,  or  Six  Nations,  who  had  followed  them 
from  the  far  West." 

They  had  three  divisions  or  great  clans,  known  by  their  em- 
blems of  the  wolf,  the  turtle,  and  the  turkey,  which  are  still  distin- 
guished and  held  by  the  little  surviving  remnant  now  in  the  far 
off  Indian  Territory. 

Previous  to  the  coming  of  white  men  the  Delawarcs  had 
greatly  decreased  in  numbers,  and  many  a  village  fire  had  gone 
out  never  to  be  re-lighted.  Great  wars  had  thinned  the  ranks 
of  their  braves  and  spread  desolation  through  their  forest  homes. 
Diseases,  some  of  which  had  been  introduced  by  Europeans, 
spread  among  them  and  swept  away  many  thousands.  These 
epidemics  were  beyond  the  power  of  their  simple  remedies  to 
check.  The  weakness  of  the  Indians,  and  the  naturally  peace- 
ful and  inoffensive  disposition  of  the  Delawares,  were  favorable 
to  the  settlement  of  Northern  New  Jersey.  They  manifested 
a  friendly  disposition  toward  the  new  comers.  With  their  own 
numbers  small  and  the  land  so  wide,  they  were  less  jealous  of 
intrusion  than  if  they  had  been  more  numerous  and  re- 
quired the  whole  country  for  their  own  occupation.  They  made 
liberal  grants  of  land  in  exchange  for  very  trifling  sums.  The 
early  settlers  purchased  of  them  sites  for  their  homes,  and  built 
their  cabins  without  much  fear ;  they  pursued  game  on  the 
Indian  hunting  grounds,  and  fished  in  their  waters,  visited  them 
in  their  villages,  and  received  their  visits  in  return. 

The  Missionary,  David  Brainerd,  from  1742  to  the  close  of 
his  labors,  passed  among  them  in  his  long  tours  unmolested.  The 
Dutch  settlers  were  living  in  amity  with  them  at  their  first  settle- 
ment upon  the  upper  Delaware  as  far  back  as  1680,  when  they 
journeyed  inland  from  the  Hudson  River.  We  have  some  accounts 
of  the  massacre  of  whites  and  torture  of  captives,  but  they  were 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  11 

liot  usual,  and  the  atrocities  of  King  Phillip's  war  in  New  Eng- 
land, found  no  counterpart  in  the  conflicts  of  very  early  times 
along  our  border.  Our  ancestors  suffered  most  from  Indian 
depredations  during  the  old  French  war,  when  the  Indians  were 
invited  to  massacre  and  plunder  by  the  emissaries  of  a  civilized 
nation.  So,  too,  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  the  British  officers 
employed  Indians  in  their  murderous  work,  and  disguised  Tories 
led  them  in  marauding  expeditions.  That  the  improper  conduct 
of  the  whites  sometimes  provoked  to  retaliation  and  bloodshed, 
does  not  fix  any  special  ferocity  upon  those  whose  soil  was  invaded, 
and  who,  as  the  whites  multiplied,  might  well  be  alarmed  lest 
their  homes  should  soon  be  entirely  lost  to  them.  We  read  that, 
in  1774,  an  unprovoked  invasion  of  the  Indian  country  was  made 
by  a  party  of  land  hunters.  Without  cause  the  Delaware  Chief, 
Bald  Eagle,  was  killed,  scalped,  and  his  body  set  adrift  in  his  own 
canoe  on  the  river.  The  celebrated  chief  Logan,  whose  family 
had  been  ruthlessly  murdered,  led  on  parties  of  the  Delawares  and 
Shawnees  to  terrible  reprisals.  The  Indians  were  said  to  have 
been  revengeful,  but  how  were  the  whites  ?  Tom  Quick,  called 
the  Indian  slayer,  and  avenger  of  the  Delaware,  was  said  to  have 
slain  ninety-nine  of  them  in  revenge  for  his  father's  death,  and 
to  have  only  regretted  that  he  could  not  make  the  number  an 
even  hundred. 

The  great  superiority  of  the  white  man  was  in  the  possession 
of  the  axe  and  the  rifle.  The  woodman's  axe  found  no  competitor 
among  their  stone  hatchets.  A  white  man  could  clear  his  ground, 
cut  and  hew  his  logs  and  build  his  cabin — a  more  enduring 
structure — in  shorter  time  than  they  could  cut  their  poles 
and  roof  their  wigwams.  Firearms  were  deadly  instruments 
against  the  Indians.  In  the  chase  they  gave  the  white 
man  the  superiority  in  killing  game,  which  grew  scarcer  with 
the  greater  slaughter  of  animals.  In  battle  the  Indians  had 
little  hope  of  success  if  victory  must  be  won  against  firearms  with 
only  bow  and  spear.  They  learned,  however,  to  make  their 
attacks  and  draw  the  white  man's  fire,  and  then  rush  upon  him 
before  he  could  reload,  and  overcome  him  by  force  of  numbers. 
The  whites  in  emergency  learned  to  hold  their  fire,  and  often  by 


12  HAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

merely  pointing  at  the  Indians  kept  them  at  bay.  We  read  of  the 
Indian  atrocities  which  are  on  record,  but  we  have  not  the  full 
statement  of  the  more  frequent  acts  of  injustice  and  cruelty, 
perpetrated  by  the  whites  upon  the  Indians.  They  were  doomed 
to  pass  away  when  the  first  settlers  were  permanently  established, 
and  the  process  began  when  our  fathers  landed  and  followed  their 
trails  along  the  streams  and  over  the  hills.  We  tread  upon  their 
graves  and  plow  among  their  bones,  but  have  lost  the  story  of 
their  lives. 

The  Indian  population  among  our  Sussex  hills  was  sparse  at 
the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  became  more  so 
as  many  withdrew  into  the  Susquehanna  country,  or  passed  on 
into  Ohio,  abandoning  many  of  their  settlements.  Yet  there  were 
scattered  communities  and  a  few  families  that  long  remained,  and 
traces  of  their  blood  may  be  seen  in  the  complexion  and  features 
of  some  of  the  mixed  race  yet  living  among  us.  The  Indians 
often  tamely  submitted  to  oppression  with  a  forbearance  white 
men  never  exercised,  although  they  would  nourish  revenge  and 
sometimes  rise  in  resistance  and  strike  back  deadly  blow^. 

Edsall  says  in  his  Sussex  County  Centennial  Address  :  "  No 
difficulties  with  the  red  men  are  of  record  before  1755,  or  have 
been  handed  down  by  tradition.  The  settlers  purchased  their 
lands  and  dealt  equitably  with  the  Indians  and  were  accorded 
privileges  of  hunting  and  fishing."  Although  in  general  on  good 
terms  with  the  aborigines,  the  settlers  felt  the  necessity  of 
guarding  against  treachery,  and  took  precautions  against  hostile 
surprises.  They  placed  their  houses  in  proximity,  and  cut  loop- 
holes for  musketry  in  the  log  walls.  Sometimes  they  stockaded 
about  their  homes.  Women  and  boys,  as  well  as  men,  were 
practiced  in  the  use  of  the  rifle,  and  often  exercised  their  skill 
effectively  against  wild  beasts,  as  well  as  in  preparation  for  the 
Indians. 

In  very  early  times  Sussex  county  was  a  favorite  hunting- 
ground  for  the  Indians,  and  was  mostly  covered  with  a  dense 
forest.  As  by  war  and  pestilence  the  tribes  diminished  in 
numbers,  the  game  multiplied  for  the  survivors,  who  found 
here   all    that  delights    the   heart  of    the  red   hunter.     Among 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  L3 

the  birds  were  geese,  clucks,  wild  turkeys,  pigeons,  partridges  and 
quail.  The  deer  were  so  plentiful  as  to  furnish  a  common  supply 
of  Indian  food.  Fish  abounded  in  the  lakes  and  streams,  and 
were  taken  with  bene  hooks  or  in  nets.  Oposum,  otters  and 
beavers  were  often  killed.  The  beavers  were  particularly  hunted 
for  their  furs,  and  after  white  men  came,  the  beaver  skin  became 
a  great  article  of  commerce. 

The  first  white  settlers  were  greatly  troubled  by  beasts  of  prey. 
Panthers,  bears,  wildcats  and  wolves,  dwelt  in  the  woods,  and  often 
prowled  around  the  settlers'  homes,  killing  sheep  and  calves,  and 
even  threatening  men.  Hunters  were  compelled  to  keep  their  fires 
burning  all  night  when  they  bivouaced  on  the  mountains.  Wolf 
scalps  or  heads  were  nailed  on  the  outside  of  many  a  cabin,  a  pleasing 
exhibition  of  the  hunter's  success  in  the  chase  after  these  ravagers. 
The  destruction  caused  by  a  single  wolf,  or  a  pair  of  wolves,  for 
they  generally  went  in  pairs,  in  one  night  among  a  flock  of  sheep 
would  be  fearful.  The  old  wolves  became  exceedingly  cunning 
to  escape  pursuit  or  to  avoid  the  traps  set  for  them,  and  the  she 
wolves  when  they  had  young  were  the  fiercest  and  most  ravenous. 
The  American  gray  wolf  was  nearly  four  feet  long,  with  a 
bushy  tail  of  eighteen  or  twenty  inches.  Some  overgrown  speci- 
mens might  have  been  even  larger.  Although  about  the  same 
height  and  length  as  the  European  wolf,  the  American  was  more 
muscular  and  had  more  powerful  jaws.  The  general  color  was  a 
grey,  with  some  much  lighter  than  others. 

Sometimes  a  great  hunt  would  be  organized  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  a  single  wolf,  which  had  broken  into  some  sheep 
fold.  The  hunters  surrounded  a  large  district,  or  a  mountain 
side,  within  which  they  supposed  the  wolf  was  lurking  and  then 
came  in  closer  and  closer  until  he  was  found.  "Wolves  are  afraid 
of  fire,  and  of  the  human  eye,  and  seldom  attack  men.  Large 
bounties  were  paid  for  killing  wolves.  In  1730  the  New  Jersey 
Legislature  passed  "  An  act  to  encourage  the  killing  of  wolves 
and  panthers."  A  reward  of  twenty  shillings  was  paid  for  every 
wolf's  head  to  the  slayer ;  five  shillings  for  every  whelp  of  a  wolf 
that  cannot  prey  ;  and  for  every  panther  fifteen  shillings. 

In  1751  an  amendment  to  this  act  was  passed.    The  preamble 


14  HARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

says,  "  Whereas  it  is  found  by  experience  that  said  act  is  not  a 
sufficient  encouragement  for  the  killing  of  wolves,"  and  the 
amendment  provided,  that  "  the  further  sum  of  forty  shillings  shall 
be  paid  for  every  wolf  killed,  and  five  shillings  for  every  whelp  of 
a  wolf,  over  and  above  the  allowance  in  the  first  act." 

December,  1807,  the  flock  of  Thomas  Lawrence,  of  Ham- 
burg, was  invaded  by  wolves  and  a  number  of  sheep  killed. 

As  late  as  1820  twenty  dollars  were  paid  for  a  wolf's  scalp  ; 
and  boys  who  could  handle  a  gun  received  two  dollars  for  each  of 
the  wild  cat's  heads  they  brought  to  the  Justice  of  the  Peace.  The 
"  Squire  ''  cut  off  the  ears  and  gave  the  slayer  a  certificate  entitling 
him  to  draw  his  money.  Wolves  were  on  Snufftown  mountain  in 
the  recollection  of  men  now  living  who  can  recall  their  howling  at 
night. 

Black  bears  were  formerly  quite  numerous.  They  seldom 
attacked  a  man,  but  when  standing  on  the  defensive,  would  tear 
the  dogs  with  their  claws  when  they  ventured  near  enough  to  be 
caught,  or  squeeze  them  to  death  with  their  paws.  They  would 
sometimes  come  into  the  corn  fields  and  devour  the  green  corn. 
With  their  sharp  claws  they  could  very  quickly  climb  the  largest 
trees.     Bears  meat  was  highly  esteemed  by  the  settlers. 

In  1818  Peter  Shafer  killed  a  bear  and  three  cubs  in  a  clump 
of  trees,  not  far  from  the  big  rock,  in  the  Wallkill,  below  the 
Haines  House.  Near  1823  two  bears  were  killed  in  the  vicinity 
of  Monroe  Corner  and  the  meat  was  divided  among  the  families. 
Still  later  a  bear  was  discovered  on  the  James  Scott  place  in  the 
early  morning  by  a  man  who  was  very  much  frightened  at  seeing 
him  emerge  from  a  hollow.  The  man  ran  back  and  gave  the 
alarm.  Scott's  boys  and  others  joined  in  the  pursuit  but  were  un- 
successful. The  latest  bear  killed  in  these  parts  was  found  in 
Wawayanda  mountain  about  1860,  and  his  skin  was  made  into  a 
lap  robe. 

Deer  were  so  plentiful  in  olden  time  that  they  formed  a 
common  food  for  the  Indians.  Fifty  years  ago  they  were  killed 
upon  the  mountain  about  Oak  Ridge.  A  herd  of  deer  was  also 
hunted  on  the  Blue  mountain  on  the  line  of  the  Hamburg  and 
Milford  turnpike  road  within  a  much  more  recent  period.     Very 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  15 

frequently  they  would  come  down  from  Pike  county,  and  swim 
the  Delaware,  or  cross  upon  the  ice  to  reach  our  Sussex  mountains. 
In  1836  vension  was  eaten  from  a  deer,  shot  within  a  few  miles 
of  Hamburg. 

The  Indians  had  much  skill  in  smoking  and  dressing  for 
preservation  the  skins  of  the  animals  they  slew,  and  especially  in 
preparing  the  buck-skin  of  which  to  a  large  extent  their  clothing 
was  made.  The  furs  of  different  animals  were  spread  in  their 
wigwams,  or  covered  the  dried  grass  of  which  their  beds  were 
made. 

The  most  venomous  serpents  were  the  rattlesnakes.  These 
abounded  in  some  localities  and  were  objects  of  dread.  Yet  it  is 
wonderful,  that  in  proportion  to  their  numbers  and  power  for 
mischief,  these  reptiles  destroyed  so  few  of  the  lives  of  the  early 
settlers. 

The  men  sometimes  stripped  bark  from  young  white  ash 
trees  and  tied  it  about  their  legs  when  they  went  upon  surveying 
parties,  or  were  working  in  places  where  they  were  much  exposed. 
The  rattlesnakes,  it  is  said,  would  avoid  the  white  ash,  and  if  they 
did  strike,  their  fangs  could  not  penetrate  beyond  the  bark. 

Immigrant  families  as  they  went  through  the  woods  in  search 
of  their  new  homes  sometimes  drove  before  them  their  swine, 
who  were  very  ravenous  in  devouring  the  snakes,  and  because  of 
the  fat  under  their  skin,  suffered  very  little  when  they  were  bitten. 

The  Indian  dwellings  were  huts,  called  wigwams.  The  frame 
was  made  by  driving  poles  into  the  ground  and  bending  them  over 
until  they  came  together  at  the  top.  They  were  bound  in  their 
places  by  cords  of  hemp  or  thongs  of  leather.  Stakes  were  driven 
to  form  the  sides,  and  the  roof  was  of  bark. 

The  early  settlers  had  very  primitive  structures,  but  these 
were  great  improvements  upon  those  of  the  Indians.  They  felled 
trees  and  scored  them  for  the  walls  of  their  cabins,  using:  often 
the  bark  of  chestnut  trees  for  roofing.  Afterwards  shingles  were 
split  out  of  red  oak  trees,  or  pines  when  they  could  be  found  ;  but 
for  want  of  nails,  slabs  were  frequently  substituted.  The  doors 
were  hung  without  iron  hinges,  and  the  window,  if  any,  was 
unglazed.     One  room  constituted  the  house. 


1(>  IIAKDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

After  a  little  time  the  capacit}7  of  their  dwellings  was  doubled, 
by  putting  a  second  house  close  by,  and  near  enough  to  have' 
one  roof  cover  both,  leaving  a  passage-way  between.  Sometimes 
this  was  wide  enough  for  the  storing  of  the  farm  implements  or 
even  the  running  in  of  a  wagon.  The  doors  [being  opposite,  the 
access  was  easy  from  one  room  to  another.  These  were  called 
double  houses  and  saddle-bag  houses.  My  grandmother  described 
them  as  common  in  her  youth.  In  such  a  house  lived  Peter 
Coulter,  and  the  Itutans,  and  the  Perry  family  towards  Vernon 
sixty  or  seventy  years  ago.  John  McCoy  lived  in  such  a  house 
on  the  bank  of  the  Papakating  creek.  There  were  no  saw  mills, 
here  at  the  erection  of  the  earliest  frame  houses,  and  all  the  sawed 
lumber  had  to  be  hauled  from  a  distance  of  many  miles. 

The  last  log  house  in  the  village  of  Hamburg  was  the  Sam 
Sidman  house,  with  two  rooms  and  two  chimneys,  standing  near 
the  site  of  Colonel  Kemble's  barn. 

The  Indians  cracked  their  corn  in  mortars  with  a  pestle.  The 
mortal's  were  sometimes  made  of  stone  but  more  frequently  of 
some  hard  wood  which  would  not  split.  For  this  they  chose  the 
gum  tree  or  sweet  balsam.  Acquackanunck  was  so  called  by  them, 
meaning  (lie  place  of  gum  blocks.  The  pestle  or  pounder  was  of 
stone,  which  varied  in  length  and  weight.  The  whites  were  often 
obliged  to  do  as  the  Indians  before  they  had  mills.  Some  old 
families  have  the  stone  pounders  which  were  in  use  a  hundred 
years  ago  by  their  ancestors,  and  which  they  received  from  the 
Indians. 

Previous  to  1700  families  of  Hugenots,  driven  from  France 
upon  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Xantz,  and  exiled  from 
Holland,  had  settled  on  the  Hudson  at  the  mouth  of  the  Wallkill 
at  Esopus,  or  Kingston.  By  penetrating  into  the  country  they 
reached  the  mouth  of  the  Navarsink  where  another  colony  was 
formed.  The  name  they  gave  the  river  testifies  to  the  nationality 
of  the  settlers  who  conferred  it,  and  who  where  once  inhabitants  of 
Navarre  in  France.  So  too,  the  name  of  our  principal  stream,  the 
Wallkill  river,  which  was  named  by  the  Holland  settlers  after  the 
river  Waal  in  the  Low  Lands.  So  Wallabout  bay,  Brooklyn  Navy 
Yard,  was  named  from  the  Waaloons,  farmers  from  Holland.    The 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLEKS.  17 

Xavasink  Colony  sent  some  of  its  families  over  the  Kittatinny 
mountain  to  find  their  homes  in  our  part  of  the  Wallkill  Valley. 
Then  from  Kingston,  by  a  more  direct  route  following  up  the 
Wallkill,  families  of  Huguenots  and  Hollanders  strayed  into  this 
vicinity  where  they  established  themselves. 

The  French  and  Dutch  names  still  linger  here,  aud  are  borne 
by  some  of  our  families.  Of  these  some  retain  the  original 
spelling  and  pronunciation,  and  others  may  be  recognized  in  some- 
what corrupted  form.  Thus  we  find  names  of  French  origin 
testifying  to  their  Huguenot  descent ;  among  whom  we  may  place 
La  Fountain,  Ballou,  Chardavoyne,  Bevier,  L'Hommedieu, 
Roy,  &c. 

In  a  letter  written  from  Quebec  by  M.  de  Denonville  to  the 
French  Minister,  dated  16th  Nov.,  1686,  the  writer  says:  "The 
same  man  from  Manat  told  me  that  within  a  short  time  fifty  or 
sixty  men,  Huguenots,  arrived  there  from  the  Island  of  St. 
Christopher  and  Martinique,  who  are  establishing  themselves  at 
Manat  and  its  environs.  I  know  that  some  have  arrived  at  Boston 
from  France.  There  again,  are  people  to  operate  as  Banditti," 
[Documentary  History  X.  Y.  1:  225.]  Some  of  these  were  an- 
cestors of  our  people. 

In  1700  there  were  few  if  any  white  settlers  in  the  territory  of 
Sussex  county  except  in  the  Minisink  region  bordering  upon  the 
Delaware  River.  They  are  said  to  have  gone  there  in  search 
of  minerals.  A  road  had  been  constructed  from  Pahaquarry  to 
Esopus,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  miles.  It  was  the  earliest  work 
of  any  considerable  length  constructed  by  Europeans  in  North 
America.  It  is  still  a  thoroughfare  and  remains  an  enduring 
monument  cf  the  enterprise  of  the  hardy  Hollanders.  [See 
Edsall's  Centennial  Address.] 

The  Minisink  region  forms  parts  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania 
and  New  Jersey.  It  includes  the  townships  of  Montague,  Walpack 
and  Sandyston  in  our  county.  When  Wantage  extended  to  the 
Delaware  river  it  embraced  a  portion  of  the  Minisink  country. 
It  was  called  by  the  Indians  the  country  of  the  "  Minsies,"  or 
separate  people,  because  long  before  they  separated  from  the 
Indians  at  Columbia  and  Belvidere,  and  passed  by   way   of   the 


18  HARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

Indian  Ladder  through  the  Water  Gap  to  the  other  side  of  the 
Pohoqualin  Mountain,  which  is  a  part  of  our  Kittatinny  or  Blue 
Mountain. 

In  1682  and  succeeding  years,  while  New  Jersey  was  under 
a  Quaker  Governor,  many  persecuted  Presbyterians  came  from 
Scotland  to  New  Jersey  and  found  their  way  in  time  to  the 
northern  part  of  the  province.  About  1730,  families  of  English 
origin  began  to  arrive  in  our  vicinity.  Some  of  these  came  from 
Massachusetts  Bay  Colony,  some  from  Connecticut,  and  others 
from  Long  Island  by  way  of  Amboy  and  Elizabethtown.  The 
proprietors  of  New  Jersey  encouraged  immigration,  with  a  desire 
to  enhance  the  value  of  their  lands,  and  held  out  inducements  to 
settlers  by  making  grants  of  land  on  easy  terms. 

In  David  Brainard's  diary,  S  May,  1744,  he  writes,  "Travelled 
about  forty-five  miles  to  a  place  called  Fishkill,  and  lodged  there. 
Spent  much  of  my  time,  while  riding,  in  prayer  that  God  would 
go  with  me  to  the  Delaware.  My  heart  was  sometimes  ready  to  sink 
with  the  thoughts  of  my  work,  and  going  alone  in  the  wilderness, 
I  knew  not  where."  He  crossed  the  Hudson,  and  went  to  Goshen 
in  the  Highlands ;  and  so  travelled  across  the  woods,  from  the 
Hudson  to  the  Delaware,  about  a  hundred  miles,  through  a 
desolate  and  hideous  country  above  New  Jersey  where  were  very 
few  settlements ;  in  which  journey  he  suffered  much  fatigue  and 
hardship.  He  visited  some  Indians  in  the  way,  at  a  place  called 
Minisink,  and  discoursed  with  them  concerning  Christianity. 
"Was  m elan ch oily  and  disconsolate,  being  alone  in  a  strange 
wilderness.  On  Saturday,  May  12,  came  to  a  settlement  of  Irish 
and  Dutch  people,  and  proceeding  about  twelve  miles  further 
arrived  at  Sakhauwotung,  an  Indian  settlement  [near  Easton] 
within  the  Forks  of  the  Delaware,"  "28  May.  Set  out  from  the 
Indians  above  the  Forks  of  the  Delaware,  on  a  journey  towards 
Newark,  in  New  Jersey,  according  to  my  orders.  Rode  through 
the  wilderness  ;  was  much  fatigued  with  the  heat ;  lodged  at  a 
place  called  Black  River  [now  Chester,  Morris  Co.];  was  exceed- 
ingly tired  and  worn  out."  "17  Feb.  1745.  Preached  to  the 
white  people  in  the  wilderness  [somewhere  in  Warren  Co.],  upon 
the  sunny  side  of  a  hill ;  had  a  considerable  assembly,  consisting 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS   AND    FIRST   SETTLERS.  ID 

of  people  who  lived,  at  least  many  of  them,   not  less  than  thirty 
miles  asunder  ;  some  of  them  came  near  twenty  miles." 

Smith  describes  Sussex  Co.,  1765,  or  twenty  years  later, 
as  "a  frontier,  uot  much  improved  and  having  but  few 
inhabitants,"  while  the  act  of  1768  giving  Sussex  the  right  to 
representation  in  the  Legislature,  says,  "Whereas,  the  counties  of 
Morris,  Cumberland  and  Sussex  are  now  become  very  populous, 
&c."  When  the  Provincal  authorities  in  1709  defined  the 
Ixmndaries  of  West  Jersey,  they  included  the  territory  of  Sussex 
within  the  limits  of  Burlington.  When  Hunterdon  was  formed  in 
1713  we  belonged  to  that  county  ;  when  Morris,  in  1738,  we  were 
included  within  its  bounds.  The  Provincial  Legislature  by  enact- 
ment, Sth  June,  1753,  established  the  county  of  Sussex.  The 
name  was  given  by  Governor  Jonathan  Belcher  in  compliment 
to  the  Duke  of  New  Castle,  whose  family  seat  was  in  Sussex 
Count}7,  England.  Some  English  miners  from  Sussex,  England, 
had  also  opened  an  iron  mine  at  Andosrer,  which  they  called  the 
Sussex  mine.  Walpack  and  New-Town  Townships  embraced 
nearly  all  of  the  present  territory  of  our  county  until  Wantage  was 
formed  from  New-Town,  May,  1751.  Ilardyston  from  New-Town, 
1762.  Ilardyston  was  named  for  Josiah  Hardy,  who  was  Gover- 
nor of  New  Jersey,  1761-1763.  It  included  the  present  townships 
of  Vernon  and  Sparta.  Vernon  was  set  off  from  it  in  1792,  and 
Sparta  in  1845. 

When  in  1738  Morris  county  was  erected,  the  northern  part 
of  New  Jersey  began  to  attract  attention.  This  region  from  a 
remote  period  had  been  the  favorite  residence  of  the  Indians,  but 
the  migration  to  hunting  grounds  more  remote  made  their 
population  sparse.  The  wise  policy  of  the  Proprietors  of  East 
New  Jersey,  under  whom  we  now  came  after  the  county's 
erection,  greatly  promoted  its  early  settlement.  Representa- 
tions of  the  great  fertility  of  the  lands,  the  abundance  of  game, 
the  fewness  of  the  Indians,  and  the  many  other  inducements 
offered,  were  freely  circulated,  and  adventurous  sons  of  the  first 
European  settlers,  as  well  as  many  new  comers,  turned  their  faces 
northward.  The  tide  of  immigration  flowed  in  until  the  people 
in  1750  petitioned  the  Provincial   Authorities  to   form    a   new 


20  HAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

county,  and  relieve  them  from  the  inconvenience  and  expense  of 
attending  the  courts  at  Morristown.  The  Assembly,  8th  June,  1753, 
passed  "  An  act  for  erecting  the  upper  part  of  Morris  county,  in 
Is  ew  Jersey,  into  a  separate  county  to  be  called  the  county  of 
Sussex,  and  for  building  a  Court  House  and  goal."  The  first  court 
of  justice  was  held  November,  1753,  in  Jonathan  Pettit's  house  in 
Ilardwick,  near  where  Johnsonsburg  now  is,  and  in  which  vicinity 
the  "Log  Goal"  was  built.  The  courts  continued  here 
until  February,  1756,  when  they  were  ordered  to  be  held  in 
New-Town.  Henry  Harelocker  was  a  Hollander,  who  built  a  log 
cabin  on  the  site  of  Newton,  on  lands  of  Jonathan  Hampton,  about 
the  year  1750.  There  was  not  another  cabin  for  miles  around  in 
any  direction.  The  question  of  location  for  the  Court  House  was 
under  discussion.  The  courts  had  been  held  in  Ilardwick  near 
Log  Jail,  now  Johnsonsburg  ;  Stillwater  put  forth  strong  claims 
for  the  selection  ;  but  the  act  of  Assembly,  1761,  directed  the  Court 
House  to  be  erected  upon  the  plantation  occupied  by  Harelocker, 
doubtless  through  the  influence  of  Jonathan  Hampton  who  owned 
the  land.  Several  pieces  of  ground  in  the  vicinity  were  donated 
and  sold,  and  other  dwellings  were  put  up.  This  was  the  beginning 
of  Newton,  which  was  long  called  Sussex  Court  House,  and  bore 
that  name  for  four  years  after  it  was  given  a  post  office,  from  March 
20th,  1793  to  July  1st,  1707.  The  Indians  called  it  the  "  Side 
Hill  Town,"  Chinkchewunska,  in  their  language. 

INDIAN    HOSTILITIES. 

( )ur  population  was  increased  by  the  arrival  of  many  new  fami- 
lies, until  1755.  In  this  year  on  the  8th  of  July  General  Braddock 
was  defeated  on  the  banks  of  the  Monongahela  river.  This  defeat 
gave  the  Indians  very  exalted  opinions  of  French  power  and 
martial  ability,  and  they  listened  more  readily  to  the  emissaries 
sent  to  induce  them  to  plunder  the  English  settlements.  There 
was  much  alarm,  and  rumors  came  of  the  hostile  disposition  of  the 
Indians,  but  this  was  not  believed  of  those  who  had  so  long  lived 
at  peace  with  our  settlers  along  the  Delaware.  Teedyuscung,  the 
great  Indian  King,  declared  that  they  went  upon  the  war  path, 
not  so  much  to  please  the  French,  as  to  maintain  their  own  rights, 
and  to  retaliate  for  the  wrongs  they  suffered.     White  men  were 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    ATD    FIRST    SETTLERS.  2  1 

everywhere  imposing  upon  them,  and  would  often  induce  the 
Indians  to  drink,  that  they  might  rob  them  while  intoxicated,  or 
gain  their  signatures  to  agreements  giving  away  their  lands. 
Claims  were  often  set  up,  founded  upon  agreements  made  with 
Indians,  who  bargained  away  what  did  not  belong  to  them, — 
the  white  men  then  driving  off  the  rightful  possessors.  The  evic- 
tion of  the  christian  Indians  from  their  settlements  in  Burlington 
County,  and  the  dishonesty  of  William  Penn's  agents,  aroused  at 
last  their  resentment.  They  felt  that  nothing  was  secure  and 
after  many  council  fires,  war  upon  white  men  was  begun.  The 
New  Jersey  Legislature,  alarmed  by  the  hostilities  in  Pennsylvania 
and  the  bloodshed  along  our  western  border,  appointed  commis- 
sioners who  held  a  convention  at  Crosswicks,  in  1756,  and  in 
accordance  with  an  agreement  there  made,  a  bill  was  passed  upon 
the  assembling  of  the  Legislature  the  next  year,  removing  some 
of  the  difficulties  of  which  the  Indians  complained.  Among  these 
were  intrusions  upon  lands  they  had  never  sold,  the  insisting  upon 
forged  deeds,  and  the  ruthless,  destruction  of  the  deer  upon  which 
they  largely  depended  for  subsistence.  This  commission  pre- 
served the  peace  in  the  lower  counties,  but  the  Minisink  and  Wap- 
ping  and  other  Indians  committed  twenty-seven  murders  on  our 
side  of  the  Delaware  within  one  year  from  May,  1757,  besides 
carrying  away  many  captives. 

The  alarm  was  so  great  that  two  terms  of  court,  which  was 
now  for  the  first  time  removed  from  near  Jolmsonsburg  and  ap- 
pointed at  the  house  of  Thomas  Wolverton  in  New  Town,  were 
not  held,  "  by  reason  of  troublesome  times  with  the  Indians." 
Judge  VanCampen  repaired  to  Elizabeth  town,  by  express,  to  lay 
before  the  Governor  and  Council  the  exposed  condition  of  Sussex 
County.  The  Provincial  Authorities  "  authorized  the  erection  of 
four  block  houses,  27  Dec.  1755,  at  suitable  distances  from  each 
other,  near  the  River  Delaware,  in  the  County  of  Sussex,"  and 
ordered  the  enlistment  of  250  men  to  garrison  them.  Westfall's 
block  house  was  the  most  northerly,  and  the  one  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Pequest  the  most  southerly,  with  two  between  them.  The  one 
in  AValpack  was  named  Fort  Nomanock.  The  forts  were  rapidly 
built  and  garrisoned,  and  all  preparations  made  for  defense.  Much 


22  HAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

zeal  was  shown  for  enlistment,  and  with  tidings  of  every  fresh 
murder  new  recruits  offered  themselves  as  avengers  of  their  fallen 
countrymen.  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  our  records  of  that 
garrison  life  are  so  meagre,  and  that  we  have  so  few  of  the  names 
of  the  volunteers.  This  township  was  doubtless  represented 
among  the  troops  who  formed  the  garrisons.  Parties  of  Indians 
sometimes  came  in  between  the  forts,  and  would  attack  isolated 
families,  and  murder  or  take  them  prisoners. 

Robert  Price,  the  grandfather  of  our  venerable  elder  Samuel 
O.  Price,  of  the  North  Church,  was  long  in  their  hands.  "When 
a  small  boy,  he  was  taken  a  prisoner  by  the  Indians  at  one  of  the 
massacres  in  the  Eastern  States.  He  and  bis  mother  were 
marched  off  together,  and  she  being  somewhat  conversant  with 
the  language  of  the  savages,  soon  learned  from  their  conversation 
and  gestures  that  she  was  herself  to  be  dispatched,  and  told  her 
son.  She  said  to  him  that  he  must  not  cry  when  they  killed  her, 
or  they  would  kill  him  too.  She  marched  only  a  few  rods  farther 
before  she  was  killed,  and  the  boy  was  adopted  by  a  squaw  who  had 
lost  her  own  child  a  few  days  previous.  lie  lived  with  the  Indians 
until  he  was  over  twenty-one  years  old  and  was  then  rescued  by 
lils  friends.  It  was  a  long  time  before  he  became  thoroughly 
reconciled  to  civilized  society,  and  he  sometimes  expressed  a  desire 
to  return  to  the  Indians,  but  the  feeling  gradually  wore  away. 
Several  years  after  his  release  he  removed  to  Frankford  Township." 
[Barber  &  Howe].  He  died  15th  Jan.  1782,  fifty-one  years  of 
age,  and  is  buried,  with  Abigail,  his  wife,  in  the  Plains  burying 
ground. 

His  son  John  married  for  his  second  wife  Susannah  Hover, 
whose  father,  Manuel  Hover,  was  also  captured  by  the  Indians  and 
then  rescued  very  much  as  Robert  Price  above  mentioned.  So 
that  both  the  grandfathers  of  Mr.  S.  O.  Price  were  in  their  boyhood 
captives  in  the  hands  of  the  red  men.  Manuel  Hover,  captain  of 
militia,  lived  to  quite  an  old  age  and  told  many  incidents  of  those 
troublous  times.  Once  a  party  of  Indians  had  been  driven  off, 
leaving  one  of  their  number  dead,  and  scalped.  The  scalp  was 
brought  into  the  house  and  hung  on  a  nail  in  a  closet.  At  night 
there  was  a  great  rapping  at  the  door,  but  the  inmates  could  see  no 


JND1AN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIKST    SETTLERS.  23 

one.  Another  night  the  dogs  barked  most  furiously  and  an  at- 
tack was  expected,  but  none  was  made.  They  learned  later 
that  a  party  of  Indians  swam  part  way  across  the  river  and  then 
turned  back. 

A  son  of  Colonel  Oliver  Spencer,  and  grandson  of  Robert 
Ogden,  Sr.,  of  Ogdensburg,  was,  somewhat  later,  captured  and 
carried  far  west,  and  thence  to  Canada.  He  was  believed  to  be 
living,  and  great  efforts  were  made  to  secure  his  release,  but  this 
was  not  eftected  until  he  was  a  grown  man.  His  return  to  his 
friends  was  made  a  matter  of  treaty  with  the  Indians,  and  through 
the  interposition  of  the  British  authorities,  \vho  agreed  that  he 
should  be  given  up  at  the  request  of  the  United  States  govern- 
ment. 

In  June,  1758,  Governor  Bernard,  of  New  Jersey  secured  a 
conference  which  was  held  at  the  Forks  of  the  Delaware,  near 
Easton,  which  the  Indians  termed  the  place  of  their  "  Old  Council 
Fire."  He  attended,  himself,  with  the  commissioners,  and  with 
magistrates  and  freeholders  from  botli  States  of  New  Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania.  Fourteen  different  tribes  were  represented  by  five 
hundred  and  seven  Indians  who  sat  down  in  the  council.  Our 
State  had  already  appropriated  £1,60C  to  extinguish  Indian  claims, 
and  it  was  agreed  that  £1,000  more  should  be  added  for  damages, 
and  the  Indians  should  forever  renounce  all  claims  to  lands  on  the 
east  side  of  the  river.  Our  frontier  by  these  means  was  freed 
from  Indian  aggression  from  the  time  of  the  treaty  until  the  war 
of  the  Revolution. 

Through  the  labors  of  Brainerd  and  the  Moravian  missionaries, 
numbers  of  the  Indians  had  already  been  converted  to  Christianity, 
and  the  way  was  now  open  for  more  successful  labor  among  them. 
The  King,  Teedyuscung,  who  had  been  a  leader  in  the  war,  at 
the  conference  declared  his  purpose  to  settle  with  his  people  in 
Wyoming,  where  he  would  build  a  town  such  as  white  men  live 
in,  and  have  the  religion  of  Christ  preached  to  them  and  the 
children  instructed  in  schools.  He  passed  the  winter  at  Bethlehem, 
and  the  next  spring  carpenters  were  sent  to  the  site  of  his  new 
town,  who  built  him  a  house,  around  which  his  tribe  put  up  many 
of  their  lodges.     Here  he  lived  for  five  years,  until  his  house  was 


24  HAKDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

lired  at  night  by  his  treacherous  enemies,  the  Iroquois,  and  the 
king  of  the  Delawares  was  burned  to  death. 

The  following  may  be  regarded  as  the  closing  history  of  the 
Delawares :  "  When  first  discovered  by  the  whites  they  were 
living  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware  river.  Early  in  the  17th 
century  the  Dutch  commenced  trading  with  them  under  friendly 
relations.  Subsequently  William  Penn  bought  large  tracts  of  land 
from  them,  moving  them  inland.  A  war  followed  this  purchase, 
the  Indians  alleging  they  had  been  defrauded,  but,  with  the 
assistance  of  the  Six  Nations,  the  whites  forced  them  back  west 
of  the  Alleghany  mountains.  In  1789  they  were  placed  upon  a 
reservation  in  Ohio,  and  in  1818  were  moved  to  Missouri.  Various 
removals  followed  until  1866,  when  they  accepted  lands  in  severalty 
in  the  Indian  Territory,  and  gave  up  the  tribal  relation.  They 
are  now  living  in  civilized  fashion,  and  have  become  useful  and 
prosperous  citizens.  They  number  between  1,000  and  1,100." 
[Encyclopedia  Brittanica.] 


WALLING  HOUSE.  1750. 


CHAPTER  II. 


SOME    EARLY    SETTLERS    AND    THEIR    FAMILIES. 

No  certain  date  can  be  given  for  the  arrival  of  the  first  settlers 
within  the  limits  of  Hardyston.  Several  cabins  were  built  on  the  / 
site  of  the  village  of  Hamburg  near  1740.  Colonel  Isaac  Cary 
had  already  built  his  log  house  on  the  site  of  the  present  North 
Church,  where  his  son  Isaac  Cary,  Junior,  was  born,  1742.  By 
1750  there  were  enough  Presbyterian  families  in  the  vicinity  to 
hold  religious  meetings  in  their  own  dwellings. 

Joseph  Walling,  Sr.,  came  in  very  early.  He  owned  a 
tract  of  land  extending  from  the  Wallkill,  and  the  lands  of  the 
Sharps  and  the  Lawrences,  for  nearly  a  mile  east.  He  lived  at 
first  in  a  log  house,  but,  about  1750,  erected  his  frame  dwelling. 
Some  have  called  this  the  first  frame  house  in  Hamburg.     At  any 


26  HAKDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

rate,  it  was  superior  to  all  that  had  preceded  it,  and  standing  on 
the  State  road,  was  for  more  than  a  century  the  central  landmark 
of  the  village.  The  house  was  licensed  as  an  inn,  and  on  ancient 
maps  the  place  is  designated  as  "  YVallings."  It  was  consumed  by 
fire  in  1859  and  the  house  of  Richard  E.  Edsall  now  stands  upon 
its  site. 

When  General  Washington,  during  the  Revolutionary  War, 
passed  through  from  Newburg  to  Easton,  he  is  said  to  have  dined 
at  the  stone  house  of  Colonel  John  Hathorn,  this  side  of  Warwick, 
to  have  spent  the  night  in  the  Walling  house,  and  the  night 
following  at  New  Town,  where  he  was  entertained  by  Thomas 
Ai^derson,  assistant  Quartermaster  of  the  Continental  army.  The 
room  is  still  shown  in  the  Anderson  house  where  he  slept. 

The  story  is  rather  mythical  that  Mrs.  Washington  accom- 
panied him,  and  after  breakfast  walked  in  the  garden  of  the 
Walling  house  and  brought  back  a  roll  of  blue  carded  wool  which 
had  blown  out  of  the  hall,  remarking  "  It  was  worth  saving." 

Joseph  Walling,  Jr.,  built  what  is  commonly  called  the 
Samuel  Riggs  house,  which  is  still  standing.  There  he  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-four,  leaving  three  children,  Francis,  Joseph 
and  Polly.  The  land  passed  out  of  their  hands.  Francis,  when 
grown,  lived  at  Amity,  but  returned  for  one  year  to  Hamburg  and 
worked  at  the  tanner's  trade.  They  were  ancestors  of  the  Wallings 
now  living  among  us. 

Francis  Inman,  second  son  of  Joseph  Walling,  Sr.,  removed 
to  Montague,  and  the  daughter  went  to  Western  New  York. 

Samuel  Fitz  Randolph  removed  from  Piscataway,  near  New 
Jirunswick,  and  came  into  possession  of  the  Walling  tract.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Hull  and  lived  in  the  Walling  house  for  a  few 
years,  and  there  his  son  Jeptha  was  born  in  1TS0.  Samuel  died 
in  his  thirty-third  year,  and  his  tombstone  is  in  Papakating  grave 
yard.  His  widow  married  again  and  had  children  by  her  second 
husband.  His  son  Jeptha,  born  in  Hamburg,  died  near  Beemer- 
villein  1863.  Jeptha's  son,  Samuel  Fitz  Randolph,  owns  the  farm, 
formerly  Colonel  Cary's,  at  the  North  Church  where  he  now 
resides.  Reuben,  son  of  Samuel,  Sr.,  was  Major  of  Militia  during 
the   late   war   with    England.     When    a   levy  of   Sussex  troops 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  27 

was  sent  to  Sandy  Hook,  he  was  in  failing  health,  and  paid  quite 
a  sum  for  exemption  money. 

Henry  Simpson,  who  had  previously  removed  from  Long 
Island  to  Baskingridge,  came  here  in  1750.  His  lands  lay  east  of 
the  AValling  tract  extending  to  McAfee  Valley.  His  second  wife 
was  the  Widow  Elizabeth  Cross,  supposed  to  have  been  related  to 
the  family  of  the  celebrated  Rev.  John  Cross,  of  Baskingridge 
She  was  a  woman  of  some  cultivation  and  an  ardent  Presbyterian. 
Henry  Simpson's  son,  Henry  2d,  married  her  daughter  by  her, 
first  husband.  From  these  ancestors  are  descended  most  of  the 
Simpsons  of  this  vicinity.  They  lived  at  first  in  log  houses,  but 
after  a  while  Henry  2d  built  the  frame  dwelling  which  was  only 
recently  taken  down  to  make  room  for  the  new  house  of  Ora 
Simpson. 

Henry  Simpson  3d,  was  born  in  this  house  1757.  He  died 
in  1841,  on  the  William  Edsall  farm  below  the  mountain,  where 
he  lived.  He  married  Marcy  Pettit,  who  was  born  1757,  and  died 
1831.  He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  is  mentioned  in  N.  J. 
Official  Register,  page  753.  His  son  John,  at  the  time  of  his  en- 
listment, was  too  young  to  serve  in  the  ranks,  and  was  transfered 
as  teamster  to  Captain  Dunn's  Team  Brigade. 

Mary,  daughter  of  Henry  2d,  was  born  at  McAfee  Valley  L7t'»U, 
and  died  at  Rudeville,  1851.  She  married  James,  commonly 
called  "  Coby,"  Edsall,  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  pensioner. 

Isaac  Gary,  Sr.,  lived  in  a  log  house  which  stood,  as  nearly 
as  can  be  ascertained,  on  the  site  of  the  present  North  Church.  At 
that  time  most  of  the  region  was  an  unbroken  wilderness  inhab- 
ited mainly  by  Indians.  The  date  of  his  arrival  is  unknown,  but 
his  son  Isaac  was  born  here  in  1712.  He  came  into  possession  of 
at  least  two  extensive  tracts  of  land,  one  in  the  vicinity  of  his 
dwelling  and  the  other  above  Upper  Hamburg,  or  Hardystonville, 
as  it  is  now  frequently  called.  He  took  part,  it  is  supposed,  in  the 
French  and  Indian  war  in  1757,  and  was  said  to  have  been  an 
officer  in  the  army  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  although  his  name 
does  not  appear  in  the  Official  Register  among  the  New  Jersey 
troops.  lie  was  known  as  "  Old  Colonel  Caiy,"  designating  his 
venerable  years  and  his  military  rank.     Everv  mention  of  him  is 


28  HAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

respectful,  and  we  may  regard  him  as  a  man  of  honor  and  piety. 
He  was  a  leading  man  in  Colonial  times  and  exerted  much  influ- 
ence. He  was  largely  instrumental  in  the  erection  of  the  first 
North  Church,  which  stood  in  the  grave  yard  and  always  bore  the 
name  of   "  C  ary's  Meeting  House." 

As  early  as  1750,  Presbyterians  in  the  vicinity  held  religious 
meetings  in  their  own  homes.  When  the  matter  of  building  a 
house  of  worship  was  agitated,  Colonel  Gary  insisted  that  it  should 
be  on  the  hill  above  his  house,  and  carried  his  point.  This  state- 
ment was  made  by  the  late  Judge  Richard  R.  Morris.  The  date 
of  the  erection  of  the  meeting  house  is  unknown,  but  the  oldest 
date  upon  the  tombstones  in  the  yard  is  1774. 

Colonel  Cary's  grave  is  unmarked  by  any  stone,  but  is  still 
pointed  out  by  his  descendants  and  is  near  the  old  brown  head- 
stone of  his  son. 

Isaac  Cary,  Jr.,  was  born  in  his  father's  log  house  on  the 
site  of  the  present  North  Church,  February,  1742,  and  lived  in 
the  old  house  which  stood  on  the  corner  of  the  road  until  taken 
down  by  J.  B.  Monnell.  He  married  Eunice  Beardslee,  who 
was  born  in  1751,  and  who  died  in  1850,  at  the  age  of  9S  years, 
at  the  house  of  Captain  Goble,  of  Sparta,  her  son-in-law.  Her 
recollection  was  very  distinct  of  many  occurrences  of  her  youth. 
At  the  time  of  her  birth  her  parents  were  living  upon  Hamburg 
Mountain.  There  were  rumors  of  Indian  troubles,  and  for  secur- 
ity her  father  built  a  log  house  against  the  rocks,  where  a  cave 
behind  made  a  second  room,  in  which  she  was  born.  This  was 
near  where  the  Gate  House  stood  in  later  times. 

The  North  Church  lands  of  Isaac  Cary,  Jr.,  passed  into  the 
hands  of  the  Beardslee  family,  and  he  removed  to  upper  Hamburg 
and  lived  upon  another  tract  of  land  inherited  from  his  father, 
now  constituting  the  Rude  farms  in  that  vicinity,  and  adjoining 
the  property  of  Henry  AV.  Couplin.  lie  lived  in  the  log  house 
which  stood  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road  from  Jonathan 
Dymock's  house.  He  had  two  sons,  John  and  Mahlon,  and  six 
daughters.  Maria,  married  a  Rude ;  Nancy,  Captain  Isaac 
Goble  ;  Hannah,  William  Reeves,  who  built  the  Jonathan  Dym- 
ock  house,  became  a  Methodist  minister,  and  removed  to  Newark  ; 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  29 

Polly  married  Henry  Edsall,  and,  after  his  death,  kept  the  moun- 
tain turnpike  gate  and  was  the  mother  of  Benjamin  PI.  Edsall ; 
Phebe  married  William  Osborne,  a  blacksmith,  who  changed  the 
log  house,  after  it  came  into  his  possession,  into  a  blacksmith  shop  ; 
Emiline  married  a  Heminover.  Isaac  Cary,  Jr.,  was  a  mag- 
istrate, and  his  headstone  at  the  North  Church  reads,  "  Sacred  to 
the  memory  of  Isaac  Cary,  Esquire,  who  died  January  18th,  1791, 
aged  48  years  and  11  months." 

Captain  John  B.  Cary,  the  eldest  son  of  Isaac,  Jr.,  was  born 
at  the  North  Church  and  lived  for  many  years  in  Upper  Ham- 
burg, until  he  removed  to  Sparta  township.  He  commanded  one 
of  the  four  companies  of  the  Second  Sussex  Militia  that  went  to 
Sandy  Hook  in  1812.  After  the  war  he  was  Captain  for  a  time 
of  the  Hamburg  Cavalry  Company.  He  married  Hannah  Ham- 
mond, who  died  in  1888,  aged  85  years,  and  is  buried  beside  him 
in  Sparta  church  yard. 

The  Hamburg  Cavalry  Company  was  composed  of  young 
men  who  owned  their  own  horses  and  accoutrements.  They  wore 
the  Continental  uniform  with  leather  helmets  and  long  horse-hair, 
feathers.  Some  of  their  uniforms  were  in  existence  until  recently 
and  a  sword  or  two  is  yet  shown. 

Charles  Beardslee,  Sr.,  was  born  in  1742  and  died  March 
5th,  1803.  He  was  said  to  have  been  a  Revolutionary  soldier, 
and  was  called  "Colonel."  His  parents  were  living  on  the  Hamburg 
Mountain  in  1751,  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  his  sister  Eunice. 
He  lived  with  Colonel  Cary  at  the  North  Church  and  is  supposed 
to  have  married  his  daughter.  Pie  was  twenty  years  of  age  at  the 
time  of  the  birth  of  his  son,  Charles,  Jr.  All  the  Cary  tract  of 
land  finally  came  into  the  possession  of  his  descendants.  Part  of 
the  lands  came  to  the  Beardslees  by  inheritance,  and  through 
intermarriage,  and  other  portions  by  purchase.  The  North 
Church  tract,  comprising  fifteen  hundred  or  more  acres,  is  now 
divided  into  eight  good  sized  farms.  Upon  it  Charles  Beardslee 
built  several  houses  for  himself  and  his  sons. 

Charles  Beardslee,  Jr.,  was  born  in  1762  and  died  in  1818. 
His  wife  was  a  Schofield.  Samuel  Beardslee,  their  son,  was  born 
in  1813,  and  died  in  1863.     He  married  Sarah  Kimble,  born  in 


30  HARDY8TON    MEMORIAL. 

1813,  and  died  in  187T.  They  were  the  parents  of  Samuel  A. 
Beardrfee,  who  died  in  1881,  in  his  forty-first  year. 

George  was  Captain  of  a  Company  of  Sussex  2d  Regt.,  and 
took  his  company  to  Sandy  Hook  during  the  war  of  1812.  He 
lived  in  the  stone  house  on  the  Lantz  farm,  which  was  commonly 
called  the  "Plains  farm,"  and  upon  which  were  the  Hemp  meadow, 
the  Potash  works,  and  a  brick  kiln.  He  was  a  very  active  busi- 
ness man.  He  engaged  in  iron  manufacture  and  ran  a  forge  at 
SnufFtown  ;  but  iron  making  did  not  prove  profitable,  and,  his 
estate  becoming  involved,  he  sold  out  and  removed  in  1837,  with 
all  his  family,  to  Michigan. 

John  lived  in  the  Samuel  F.  Randolph  house,  and  kept  a  tavern, 
lie  married  Susan  Gary  for  his  second  wife.  After  his  death  she 
kept  the  public  house  for  many  years.  His  son  Beverly  lived  in 
the  old  parsonage,  now  the  sexton's  house,  built  in  178S,  and  mar- 
ried Ann,  daughter  of  Captain  Christopher  Longstreet.  Beverly 
was  drowned  in  Lake  Grinnell  while  fishing.  Edward,  another 
son,  lived  on  the  Darrah  place  until  he  removed  AVest.  Sibella,  a 
daughter,  married  Joseph  Linn,  who  kept  store  at  Monroe  Corners. 
The  sign  painted  on  the  house,  "Monroe  Store,  "  gave  name  to  the 
cross  roads.  Another  daughter  married  one  of  the  Wellings,  of 
Warwick. 

Morrison  lived  on  the  farm  owned  by  Judge  Haines  for 
many  years,  and  now  by  Edward  Case.  He  built  the  house  and 
cleared  the  fields,  which  were  then  thickly  covered  with  timber. 

Samuel  lived  on  the  Peter  Wilson  farm  and  built  the  house. 
His  wife  was  Hannah,  daughter  of  Major  Blain,  of  Orange  county. 
Their  daughter  Abbey  married  Thomas  L.  Wilson. 

James  lived  in  the  old  house  yet  standing  near  the  Fowler 
homestead. 

Thomas  was  an  elder  in  the  North  Church,  and  married 
Rachel,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Tuttle.  They  were  church  mem- 
bers previous  to  the  separation  of  Sparta  and  the  North  Church, 
in  1819.  Their  home  was  on  the  Demarest  farm,  east  from 
Turtle's  Corner,  in  Lafayette  township.     They  removed  in  1831. 

Ebenezer  Tuttle  owned  the  Mark  Congleton  farm  and 
lived  in  a  house  which   was  burned,  near  Monroe  Corners.     He 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  31 

united  with  the  church  in  1820  and  died  in  1S34.  His  son  Samuel 
married  Lydia,  daughter  of  James  Hopkins,  and  lived  at  the  Big 
Spring  on  the  farm  his  wife  inherited,  where  he  built  the  stone 
house.  He  sold  the  place  to  his  brother-in-law,  Jacob  Kimble, 
and  bought  the  Zebulon  Sutton,  now  Rutherford  farm,  near 
Franklin  Furnace.  He  was  an  Elder  of  the  North  Church  from 
1823  until  his  death  in  1861.     His  wife  died  in  1868. 

James  Hamilton  was  born  at  sea.  He  was  a  young  man,  a 
carpenter  in  Philadelphia,  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  After 
the  capture  of  the  city,  in  1777,  by  the  enemy,  he  was  claimed  as  a 
British  subject  and  taken  forcibly  to  a  man-of-war  anchored  in 
the  river.  One  night  he  tied  his  clothes  together  and  threw  him- 
self, with  his  bundle,  into  the  water.  The  current  was  so  swift 
that  he  lost  his  clothes  and  reached  the  shore  naked,  but  he  went 
into  the  town  and  climbed  up  by  the  window  of  his  boarding 
house  and  reached  his  own  room.  In  the  morning  when  the 
woman,  who  had  charge  of  the  room,  entered,  she  was  surprised 
to  find  the  bed  occupied.  He  asked  her  to  bring  him  a  suit  of  his 
clothes  and  to  say  nothing  about  him.  He  escaped,  and  came  to 
Orange  Co.  to  a  Mrs.  Hinchman's  house.  A  troop  of  tories  and 
British  came  in  pursuit  of -him.  Mrs.  Ilinchman  concealed  him 
in  a  large  barrel  over  which  she  spread  flax,  and  then  prepared  a 
good  dinner  for  the  troopers,  with  plenty  of  cider,  and  they  went 
away  without  discovering  the  fugitive  prisoner.  After  the  war, 
Hamilton  worked  at  his  trade,  and,  going  to  Frankford,  met  and 
married  Sarah  Price,  daughter  of  Francis  Price,  and  grandaughter 
of  Robert,  who  was  captured  by  the  Indians.  After  the  birth  of 
his  son  Benjamin,  he  engaged  to  build  a  grist  mill  near  the  Dela- 
ware River.  He  built  a  log  house  in  a  lonely  place  which  he  had 
selected,  but  had  no  materials  for  window  or  door#  Here  he  had 
to  leave  his  wife  and  child  for  days  while  he  went  away  to  his 
work.  She  closed  the  entrance  at  night  with  her  table  and  a  bed 
quilt.  She  was  frequently  awakened  in  terror  by  the  wolves 
which  came  prowling  around  the  cabin,  but  they  never  broke  the 
feeble  barrier.  James  Hamilton  built  the  Lawrence  mansion, 
1794.  The  eldest  son,  born  in  1781,  was  named  for  an  uncle, 
Benjamin,  in  Philadelphia,  who  sent  money  to  pa}r  for  his  school- 


32  HARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

ing.  He  conducted  many  suits  at  law  in  Justices  Courts,  and  be- 
came Brigadier  General  of  Militia  and  had  a  prominent  part  at  the 
general  trainings,  which  were  formerly  held  every  year.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Legislature,  and  for  several  years  represented 
Sussex  in  the  State  Council.  He  died  in  1864.  His  wife  was 
Sally  Edsall,  who  died  in  1874,  in  the  95th  year  of  her  age.  She 
was  a  woman  of  remarkable  ability  of  mind  and  of  attractive 
character.  She  retained  her  memory  to  the  last,  and  we  are  in- 
debted to  her  for  much  information  respecting  olden  times. 

Col.  Robert  Hamilton,  their  son,  was  member  of  Congress  ; 
and  Major  Fowler  Hamilton,  another  son,  showed  great  gallantry 
in  the  Mexican  war,  and  died  soon  after  in  Texas,  while  on  mili- 
tary service.  Benjamin  Hamilton,  Jr.,  practiced  law  in  Newton, 
was  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  and  died  in  early  manhood. 

Francis  Hamilton,  another  son  of  James,  was  named  for  his 
mother's  father.  He  married  the  eldest  daughter  of  Joseph  Sharp, 
Jr.,  Nancy  (or  Anne),  who  was  brought  up  by  her  grandmother, 
Grace  Sharp,  the  Quakeress,  who  gave  them  a  large  sum  of 
money  to  purchase  the  farm  where  they  lived.  This  farm  was 
purchased  by  Dr.  Samuel  Fowler,  sometime  previously,  for$S  per 
acre.  Peter  Fountain  worked  it  for  him  for  a  number  of  years 
and  never  owned  a  horse  during  that  time,  using  oxen.  Dr.  Fow- 
ler sold  it  for  $22  per  acre  ;  and  in  more  recent  times  it  has  been 
valued  as  high  as  $120  per  acre. 

Esther  Hamilton,  daughter  of  James,  married  Colonel  Joseph 
E.  Edsall. 

Thomas  Hamilton,  another  son,  lived  in  Hamburg  and  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Hoffman,  (familiarly  called  Aunt  Betsy),  a  woman 
noted  for  her  kindness  of  heart  and  earnest  piety. 

Michael  Rorick  was  of  Dutch  descent.  He  was  born  April 
10th,  1749,  in  Bergen  County,  and  came  to  Franklin  Furnace 
about  1765,  in  the  employ  of  the  men  who  built  and  ran  the  earl- 
iest forge  there.  He  was  then  but  seventeen  years  old,  and  drove 
an  ox  team  for  carting  around  the  forge.  By  careful  saving  he 
gathered  a  little  property,  and  some  years  later  secured  a  tract  of 
wild  land,  embracing  several  hundred  acres,  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  Wallkill,  above  the  forge.    He  lived  at  first  in  a  log  house,  but 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  33 

afterwards  built  the  frame  dwelling  which  stood  an  hundred  years, 
and  was  burned  after  the  construction  of  the  N.  Y.,  Susquehanna 
A:  Western  Railroad,  which  ran  beside  it.  The  house  was  at  that 
time  occupied  by  his  grandson,  Samuel  Losey,  who  inherits  that 
portion  of  the  homestead  farm. 

Michael  Rorick,  in  1774,  married  Lucretia  Hardin,  who  was 
born  in  Massachusetts,  February  21st,  1752.  The  region  around 
their  home  was  a  vast  forest,  with  the  exception  of  the  little  clear- 
ing where  there  had  been  a  small  Indian  settlement,  and  within 
which  their  house  was  erected.  An  old  Indian  trail  crossed  the 
Kill  at  what  is  still  called  "  The  Ford,"  where  the  water  is  shal- 
low and  runs  with  nearly  a  uniform  depth  over  a  pebbly  bottom 
It  then  passed  along  up  the  stream  on  the  edge  of  the  meadow 
and  upland,  very  near  where  the  road  was  formerly  located.  The 
trails  were  very  narrow  foot-paths,  where  the  Indians  walked  in 
single  tile,  one  behind  another;  for  it  is  said  they  never  went  two 
abreast,  and  so  disturbed  as  little  as  possible  the  foliage  along 
their  foot-paths.  Traces  of  the  Indian  occupation  may  still  be 
seen  in  the  fruit  trees,  some  of  which,  planted  by  them,  are  yet, 
after  all  these  years,  standing  and  bearing  in  their  season 
blossoms  and  fruit.  The  apples  are  of  peculiar  variety,  the  plums 
of  the  common  red  sort,  while  the  cherries  are  of  three  kinds  — 
red,  yellow  and  black. 

It  was  with  difficulty  Rorick  could  preserve  his  sheep  from 
the  attack  of  wolves  which  abounded  in  the  country.  To  save  his 
flock,  he  constructed  caves  in  the  side  hill  into  which  they  were 
driven  at  night.  One  morning,  at  break  of  day,  the  cry  of  the 
wolves  was  heard  just  opposite  the  house,  and  one  of  the  men  ran 
out  and  fired  at  them.  They  fled  to  the  kill  and  passed  over  it  in 
two  or  three  jumps,  making  the  water  fly  and  shaking  themselves 
from  the  wet  as  soon  as  they  were  over,  wThen  they  started  for  the 
mountain  on  the  east  side.  A  hunt  was  organized  by  several 
men,  who  saw  nothing  that  day  of  the  wolves,  but  killed  a  bear 
and  several  wild  cats  in  Bear  Swamp,  then  an  almost  impenetrable 
jungle  on  the  mountain  near  the  Losey  pond.  The  passage  way 
for  wild  beasts  from  the  Wild  Cat  Mountain  to  the  Munson  moun- 
tain seemed  to  run  very  near  the  house,  and  frequently  the  cry  of 


34  HARDY  STON     MEMORIAL. 

the  panther,  as  well  as  the  howl  of  the  wolf,  was  heard  at  night. 

The  Indians  were  occasional  visitors  for  years  after  the  set- 
tlement. A  rock  on  the  Wild  Cat  Mountain,  whose  top  overhangs 
its  base,  was  occasionally  the  halting  place  at  night  for  their 
warriors  and  hunters.  One  day  a  warrior,  decorated  with  red 
paint  and  naked  to  the  waist,  presented  himself  at  the  door  with 
a  demand  for  food.  He  said  he  would  tell  them  where  there  was 
a  lead  mine  if  they  would  feed  him.  "When  his  hunger  was  ap- 
peased, he  said  the  mine  was  under  a  clump  of  trees  in  the  bend 
of  the  river.  No  searching  has  ever  yet  been  able  to  verify  the 
saying  of  the  Indian. 

Michael  and  his  wife  were  very  exemplary  in  their  lives  and 
firm  in  their  religious  belief.  Their  four  sons  and  six  daughters, 
who  survived  childhood,  were  trained  in  the  knowledge  of  the 
Scriptures  and  to  follow  their  godly  example.  The  parents  were 
among  the  ten  corporate  members  who  formed  the  Franklin  Bap- 
ist  Church  at  its  organization,  December  11th,  1823. 

When  Michael  died,  October  28th,  1832,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
four  years,  and  Lucretia,  September  12th,  1834,  aged  eighty-two, 
they  were  buried  in  the  grave  yard  of  the  Franklin  Church-  In 
March,  1832,  Michael  put  all  his  property  into  the  hands  of  two 
trustees,  who  were  to  furnish  him  and  his  wTife  a  good,  comforta- 
ble and  ample  support,  and  divide  the  remainder  of  the  income 
among  his  heirs  apparent,  while  he  and  his  wife  survived,  and 
after  their  death,  make  equal  division  of  all  his  estate  among  his 
children. 

Garret  Kemble's  grandfather  came  from  Devonshire,  Eng- 
land, with  his  wife  and  four  sons.  Three  of  the  sons  entered  the 
Revolutionary  army,  two  of  them  losing  their  lives  during  the 
war,  and  the  survivor  afterwards  settling  in  Virginia.  William, 
the  youngest  son,  studied  medicine  and  practiced  in  that  part  of 
Bergen  County  which  is  now  Northern  Passaic.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Cole,  of  Holland  descent,  and  lived  at  Oak  Ridge.  He 
had  a  large  family  of  hardy  children,  but  died  himself  in  middle 
life. 

Garret  was  born  near  Oak  Ridge,  September  4th,  1793.  He 
came  to  Sussex  County  in  1S12,  in  his  nineteenth  year,  and  enter- 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  35 

ed  the  employ  of  Captain  George  Beardslee  on  his  farm  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  North  Church.  When  New  York  city  was  threat- 
ened by  the  British,  during  the  second  war,  Captain  Beardslee 
marched  his  company  to  Sandy  Hook,  and  young  Kemble  had  the 
entire  management  of  the  farm.  This  was  conducted  to  the  satis- 
faction of  his  employer,  who  encouraged  him  to  bring  here  his 
mother  and  her  three  youngest  children.  He  was  remarkable  for 
great  physical  strength,  and  his  industry  and  integrity  made  him 
respected  by  all.  He  married,  in  1818,  Ann  Carnes,  daughter  of 
Michael  and  Lucretia  Rorick,  who  was  born  1795  and  named  by 
Mrs.  Ann  Carnes  Newman,  the  blind  wife  of  Emanuel  Newman, 
who  lived  in  the  J.  Ludlum  Munson  house.  After  their  mar- 
riage, Michael  Rorick  built  a  house  for  them,  and  they  lived  upon 
the  farm  which  Mrs.  Kemble  inherited  from  him,  until  their 
death.  The  house  and  farm  remained  in  the  family  until  recently. 
Mrs.  Kemble  died  in  1877,  aged  eighty-two  years,  and  Garret 
Kemble  in  1881,  in  his  ninety-first  year.  They  united  with  the 
Baptist  Church  of  Franklin  in  1824,  and  were  esteemed  and  use- 
ful members,  distinguished  for  consistent  piety  and  fidelity  to  the 
Christian  profession.  Garret  was  ordained  a  Deacon  in  1828,  and 
held  the  office  until  his  death. 

Two  brothers,  named  Sutton,  of  Huguenot  descent,  settled  in 
Morris  County  before  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  Captain  Jona- 
than Sutton,  the  son  of  one  of  the  brothers,  was  in  the  Continental 
army.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  came  to  Sparta,  and  from  thence 
to  Hardyston,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  in  1818.  He  was 
an  Elder  in  the  Sparta  Church.  Some  of  his  descendants  imi- 
grated  to  the  West  and  some  still  reside  in  the  vicinity. 

Jacob  Sutton,  Sr.,  son  of  Captain  Jonathan,  married  Hannah 
Rorick,  eldest  daughter  of  Michael  and  Lucretia  Rorick.  They 
had  six  sons.  The  eldest  son,  Michael  B.,  owned  a  farm  on  which 
he  lived,  one  mile  northeast  from  the  New  Prospect  School 
House.  He,  his  wife  and  children,  were  members  of  the  North 
Church.  He  was  a  very  active  member  of  the  congregation. 
Removing  to  Michigan,  he  died  in  advanced  years.  His  eldest 
son  is  Rev.  Dr.  Ford  Sutton,  of  New  York  city,  a  son-in-law  of 
the  late  Horace  Holden,  a  man  well  known  in  the  religious  world. 


36  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

Jacob  Sutton^  Jr.,  lived  on  lands  formerly  owned  by  George 
Buckley,  near  New  Prospect  School  House.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Martin  Cox,  of  Wantage,  in  1825.  They  are  both 
living  at  an  advanced  age  at  Monroe  Corners. 

Jonathan  Sutton,  another  son  of  Jacob,  Sr.,  lived  on  the  West 
Mountain  road  on  the  second  farm  from  the  school  house.  He 
was  an  active  member  of  the  North  Church,  a  man  of  considerable 
enterprise,  removed  to  Andover,  and  afterwards  to  Michigan. 

West  Mountain  was  formerly  called  Ireland.  Samuel  Knox 
came  from  Ireland,  with  his  wife  Rose,  who  united  with  the  North 
Church  in  1S26.  When  there  was  special  religious  interest  at  the 
North  Church,  Rev.  Mr.  Fairchild  visited  them  and  urged  their 
attendance  upon  the  meetings.  The  wife,  with  her  daughters, 
spun  and  wove  the  yarn  and  cloth  to  furnish  a  new  suit  of  clothes 
for  her  husband  that  he  might  attend  church.  One  evening  the 
father,  mother,  sons  and  daughters  came  for  the  first  time  to 
church.  The  house  was  filled,  and,  coming  in  late,  they  had  some 
difficulty  in  finding  seats.  The  father,  and  several  of  the  sons  and 
daughters,  were  converted  while  the  series  of  meetings  continued. 
The  descendants  of  Samuel  and  Rose  Knox  have  been  excellent 
citizens  and  useful  in  church  and  state.  Jeannett  married  Samuel 
Morrow,  of  Hamburg,  and  afterwards  of  Wantage.  They  edu- 
cated their  sons,  and  five  of  them  entered  the  legal  profession  and 
attained  to  high  civil  positions. 

James  Scott  lived  at  Franklin,  near  where  Col.  Samuel  Fow- 
ler built  the  stone  house.  He  was  a  contractor  in  building  the 
Paterson  and  Hamburg  Turnpike  road,  and  is  said  to  have  made 
considerable  money  by  his  contract.  Scott's  Hill,  on  the  turnpike, 
is  called  after  him.  He  invested  in  land  and  became  well  off.  He 
had  several  sons  and  left  to  each  of  them  a  good  farm.  He  gave 
$100  toward  building  the  North  Church,  in  1S13.  His  brother, 
Ben  Scott,  was  a  man  of  powerful  frame  and  noted  for  great 
strength. 

Garrett  Van  Blarcom  was  the  son  of  a  Revolutionary  sol- 
dier, born  in  Bergen  County,  17S0,  and  married  to  Mary  Degraw, 
in  1804.  He  served  in  the  war  of  1S12,  was  a  mason  by  trade, 
and  came  to  New  Prospect  1820.     His  death,  in  1831,  was  caused 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  37 

by  a  fall  from  a  haymow  by  which  his  back  was  broken.  On  his 
death  bed  he  summoned  his  sons  and  neighbors  around  him 
and  most  earnestly  counseled  them  to  seek  religion  and 
lead  holy  lives.  He  and  his  wife  were  devoted  Christians 
and  members  of  the  North  Church.  They  had  two  sons, 
Samuel  and  William.  Their  grandson,  Garret  S.  Van  Blarcom, 
son  of  Samuel,  was  struck  by  a  locomotive  on  the  Sussex 
Railroad,  and  instantly  killed.  Captain  Lewis  Van  Blarcom, 
another  grandson,  and  son  of  William  and  his  wife  Catherine 
Sutton,  was  a  student  at  law  with  M.  R.  Kemble,  of  Hamburg, 
for  one  year,  and  afterwards  with  John  Linn,  at  Newton.  He 
went  out  with  the  15th  Regiment,  N.  J.  Vols.,  was  wounded  and 
captured  at  Spottsylvania,  May  8th,  1864,  and  his  leg  amputated. 

Martin  Ryerson,  with  his  brothers,  came  to  Sussex  County 
in  1770.  They  were  descendants  of  Martin  Ryerson,  of  Flatbush, 
Long  Island,  who  emigrated  from  Amsterdam  previous  to  1063. 
Martin  purchased  the  Walling  property  and,  in  1800,  made  his 
home  in  Hamburg.  He  died  at  Hamburg,  in  the  house  built  by 
Dr.  Fowler,  November  1S20,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two.  His 
wife  was  Rhoda  Hull,  and  among  their  six  children  were  David 
Ryerson,  of  Newton,  well  known  in  business  circles,  and  as  Presi- 
dent of  the  Sussex  Bank,  Thomas  C.  Ryerson,  and  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Robert  A.  Linn. 

Thomas  Cox  Ryerson  was  born  in  1788,  at  Myrtle  Grove, 
and  came  to  Hamburg  with  his  father  in  1800.  His  early  life 
was  spent  upon  the  farm,  but  having  a  taste  for  study,  Ills  father 
sent  him  to  Princeton  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1809. 
After  a  course  of  legal  study  in  the  office  of  Job  Stockton  Hal- 
stead,  he  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of  law.  He  married  Han- 
nah Amelia  Jarvis  Ogden,  the  daughter  of  Robert  Ogden  3d,  of 
Sparta,  and  lived  with  his  father  in  the  house  built  by  Dr.  Fow- 
ler, frequently  called  the  "L'Hominedieu  house,"  where  his  son, 
the  late  Judge  Martin  Ryerson,  of  Newton,  was  born  September 
17th,  1815.  Mr.  I^yerson's  law  office  was  a  small  building  on  the 
side  of  the  public  road,  and  was  afterwards  used  by  Daniel 
Haines,  when  he  first  began  the  practice  of  law  in  Hamburg,  in 
1 824.     He  was  a  member  of  the  State  Council  for  two  years,  and, 


38  IIARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

in  1834,  was  chosen  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court.  He  died  ira 
1838,  while  in  office.  He  was  a  man  of  the  firmest  independence 
and  strictest  integrity.  As  a  lawyer,  he  was  well  read  and  an 
earnest  advocate,  having  great  influence  over  the  courts  and  juries 
in  the  counties  where  he  practiced.  As  a  judge,  he  was  held  in 
the  highest  esteem,  and  had  the  confidence  of  the  bar  and  the 
general  public.  In  1820  he  exchanged  lands  with  his  brother-in- 
law,  Robert  A.  Linn,  and  removed  to  Newton.  His  second  son 
was  Thomas  Byerson,  an  eminent  and  well  known  physician,  who 
died  in  Newton,  May  27th,  1887.  His  youngest  son,  Col.  Henry 
Ogden  Ryerson,  after  a  brave  and  honorable  service  in  the  late 
war,  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  in  Virginia,  May 
7th,  1864. 

Alexander  McEowen  was  born  in  Kilaron,  in  the  Isle  of 
Isle,  Scotland,  in  the  year  1730,  and  reached  Philadelphia  when 
eleven  years  of  age.  He  accompanied  the  family  of  Andrew 
Kirkpatrick  in  their  journey  on  foot  across  the  State  to  Basking- 
ridge,  where  he  made  his  home  in  after  life.  He  married,  Feb- 
ruary 20th,  1766,  Mary  Cross,  daughter  of  the  celebrated  Rev. 
John  Cross,  and  died  April  27th,  1777.  His  son  was  Hugh  Mc- 
Eowen, and  his  granddaughter,  Matilda,  the  wife  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Elias  R.  Fairchild. 

Rev.  John  Cross  left  a  number  of  sons  and  daughters,  several 
of  whom  were  quite  young  at  his  death,  and  were  brought  up  by 
his  widow,  Deborah.  Joseph  Cross,  of  Baskingridge,  was  a  grand- 
son, and  his  daughter,  Caroline,  was  the  mother  of  Joseph  E. 
Sheldon,  of  Hamburg. 

Joseph  Linn  was  born  in  1725  and  died  at  Harmony  Vale, 
April  8th,  1S00.  lie  married  Martha  Kirkpatrick,  of  Basking- 
ridge, who  was  born  in  Scotland, 1723,  and  died  March  7th,  1791. 
After  their  marriai  e  they  lived,  first  in  Hunterdon  County,  then 
near  Johnsonsburg,  in  Hard  wick  township,  and  later,  removed  to 
Harmony  Vale. 

Andrew  Kirkpatrick,  with  his  sons,  John  and  David,  and 
his  daughters,  Martha  and  Elizabeth,  and  also  his  brother  Alexan- 
der and  family,  removed  from  Wattie's  Neach,  Dumfrieshire,  Scot- 
land, the  place  of  their  birth,  to  Belfast,  Ireland,  about  1725.     In 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  39 

1736  they  embarked  for  America,  landed  at  New  Castle,  Dela- 
ware, crossed  the  river  at  Philadelphia  and  wandered  up  through 
Xew  Jersey,  reaching  Bound  Brook.  Finally  they  settled  on  the 
southern  slope  of  Round  Mountain,  near  Baskingridge.  They 
were  all  on  foot,  and  much  of  the  way  there  were  no  other  roads 
but  the  Indian  paths. 

David  Kirkpatrick  was  twelve  years  old  when  his  father 
came  to  this  country.  For  one  hundred  years  the  Kirkpatrick 
family  were  prominent  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Basking- 
ridge. 

Andrew  Linn,  M.  D.,  son  of  Joseph  and  Martha  Kirkpat- 
rick, was  born  in  Hardwick  township,  in  1755.  His  youth  was 
spent  at  Harmony  Vale.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Samuel 
Kennedy,  who  lived  near  the  "Log  Goal."  In  the  war  of  the  Rev- 
olution he  was  Adjutant  of  the  Second  Sussex  Regiment.  He 
began  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Monroe  Corners,  and,  after  his 
marriage,  removed  to  Newton,  where  he  died  April,  1799.  He 
lived  in  a  stone  house,  which  was  afterwards  enlarged  by  a  frame 
and  brick  structure  by  his  son  Robert,  and  where  Judge  Thomas 
C.  Ryerson  afterwards  lived.  His  practice  was  very  large.  He 
was  highly  popular  and  regarded  as  an  excellent  physician.  He 
married  Ann  Carnes,  of  Bladensburg,  Maryland,  whose  brother, 
Thomas,  was  Member  of  the  Third  U.  S.  Congress,  from  Geor- 
gia. She  was  on  a  visit  to  her  blind  aunt,  Mrs.  Ann  Carnes 
Newman,  near  Sparta,  when  he  met  her. 

Their  children  were  Robert  Andrew,  long  a  merchant  and 
leading  citizen  of  Hamburg  ;  Margaret,  wife  of  Major  William 
Thornton  Anderson,  of  Newton  ;  Mary,  wife  of  David  Ryerson,  of 
Newton  ;  Martha,  who  married  Hugh  Taylor,  and,  after  his  decease, 
became  the  wife  of  Judge  Richard  R.  Morris,  of  Sparta  ;  and  Alex- 
ander, of  Easton.  Their  children,  with  their  descendants  and 
connections,  have  filled  a  wide  circle  of  influence  in  the  society  of 
the  Town  and  County. 

John  Linn.  Few  men  of  Northern  New  Jersey  stood 
higher  in  public  esteem  than  he,  in  his  lifetime.  The  son  of 
Joseph  and  Martha  Kirkpatrick,  he  was  born  December  3d,  1763, 
in  Hardwick  township,  Warren  Count}7,  and  came  to   this   vicini- 


40  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

ty  when  his  father  removed  to  the  farm  which  he  afterwards 
inherited  and  called  Harmony  Vale. 

During  the  Revolutionary  war  lie  was  at  first  a  private,  then 
Sergeant  in  Captain  Manning's  Co.,  Sussex,  New  Jersey  Troops. 
We  know  not  how  early  in  life  he  became  a  child  of  God,  but 
when  the  First  Church  of  Hardyston  (embracing  the  congrega- 
tions at  the  Head  of  the  Wallkill  and  Gary's  Meeting  House)  was 
organized  in  1787,  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the 
State  law,  his  name  and  that  of  Martha  Linn,  his  mother,  ap- 
pear as  communicants. 

He  married,  May  19th,  1791,  Martha  Hunt,  daughter  of 
Richard  Hunt,  Sr.,  of  Hardwiek,  who,  July  15th,  1827,  in  the  fifty- 
fourth  year  of  her  age,  "died,  asshe  had  lived,  a  christian." 

Their  children  were  fourteen — Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Rev. 
Edward  Allen,  born  September  2d,  1792;  Joseph,  born  Septem- 
ber 25th,  1793,  a  most  excellent  and  exemplary  man;  Sarah, 
Mrs.  Shafer,  born  March  7th,  1796  ;  Alexander  Richard,  died  in 
infancy;  Andrew,  born  May  7th,  1799,  married  Sibella  Beardslee, 
elder  in  North  Church  1827,  keptstore,  at  Monroe  Corners; Marga- 
ret died  in  infancy;  John,  born  May  6th,lS03.  died  at  Bloom  field 
Acadamy,  1819;  Mary  Ann,  Mrs.  Low,  born  March  4th,  1805  ; 
Caroline,  born  December  18th,  1800,  wife  of  Dr.  Roderick  By- 
ington,  of  Belvidere,  and  mother  of  the  missionary,  Theodore- 
Linn  Byington,  D.  D.;  Henrietta,  who  still  survives,  received 
into  the  church  in  1S30,  at  a  communion  held  in  Hamburg,  and  is 
the  first  upon  the  roll  of  living  membership  of  the  North  Hardys- 
ton Church ;  David  Hunt,  and  Alexander,  M.  D.,  were  twins, 
born  February  17th,  1811,  David  dying  in  infancy,  and  Alexan- 
der, May  12th,  186S  ;  Lucilla  Matilda,  wife  of  Ezekiel  Brown, 
born  December  lOtl  ,  1814,  and  died  in  California,  1884;  and 
William  Helm,  M.  I).,  born  March  6th,  1819,  died  October,  1877. 

John  Linn  had  s-erved  as  Sheriff  of  Sussex  County,  and,  in 
1805,  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and 
re-appointed  for  his  fourth  term,  serving  for  sixteen  years.  He 
was  then  elected  member  of  Congress,  and  re-elected  for  a  second 
term.  He  died  in  Washington  City,  while  a  member  of  Congress, 
Jan.  5,  1821,  of  typhoid  fever.     As  the  weather  was  very    cold,, 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIBST    BETfLEBS.  4-1 

his  remains  were  brought  the  whole  distance  in  a  sleigh   to  the 
North  Church  Cemetery,  where  he  was  buried. 

lie  was  made  an  Elder  of  the  IJardyston  Church  1812,  and, 
after  the  division,  of  the  North  Church  of  Hardyston,  May,  1819, 
exerted  an  extraordinary  influence  for  good  in  the  community 
and  was  associated  with  Kobert  Ogden  in  church  work  and  public 
services. 

His  sons,  Dr.  Alexander  Li  a  it,  and  Dr.  William  Helm  Limi, 
were  eminent  in  their  profession.  All  who  remember  them, 
hnow  of  their  skill  in  medicine,  their  kindness  in  sickness,  and 
that  sterling  worth  inherited  from  their  parents,  which  always 
distinguished  them.  The  town  is  favored  which  has  beloved 
physicians  like  them  to  administer  in  sickness,  and  bring  relief  in 
suffering  and  accident. 

His  grandson,  Theodore  Linn  Byinglon,  was  born  at  John- 
sonsburg,  1831.  He  graduated  at  Princeton  College  and  Union 
Theological  Seminary,  N.  Y.  city,  went  as  Missionary  to  Turkey 
1858,  was  Pastor  at  Newton  from  1869  to  1874,  returned  to  the  mis- 
sion field  for  eleven  years,  died  in  Philadelphia  June  16th,  1SS8, 
and  was  buried  at  Springfield,  Mass. 

Robert  Andrew  Linn,  son  of  Dr.  Andrew  and  Ann  (Carnes) 
Linn,  was  born  near  Monroe  Corners,  January  29th,  1787.  His 
father  removed  to  Newton,  where  his  boyhood  was  spent.  In 
early  manhood  he  went  South  to  live.  In  1812  he  joined  an  ex- 
pedition, organized  of  Americans,  by  a  Mexican  patriot,  General 
Jose  Bernardo  Gueterrez,  who  invaded  Texas  in  the  interests  of 
Mexican  independence,  and  carried  on  a  campaign  against  the 
Spanish  arm}7.  All  who  served  on  this  campaign,  beside  their 
bounty  money  and  monthly  pay,  were  promised  one  square  league 
•of  land  when  the  national  independence  was  established.  This 
expedition  was  so  far  successful  that  for  a  time  the  Spanish  author- 
ities withdrew  from  a  large  part  of  Texas.  In  the  battles  which 
took  place  Mr.  Linn's  hearing  was  impaired  by  the  artillery  firing, 
to  which  he  attributed  the  beginning  of  the  deafness  from  which 
he  suffered  in  after  life.  He  was  much  attracted  to  Texas,  and 
when  Mexico  became  free,  was  inclined  to  go  there  to  live  and 
/ilaim  the  square  league  of  land  to  which  his  services  entitled  him. 


42  HAEDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

He  was  at  New  Orleans  when  General  Jackson  commanded 
the  forces  there,  participated  with  the  citizens  who  volunteered  in 
the  defence  of  the  city,  and  was  an  eye  witness  to  the  battle  of 
New  Orleans,  January  8th,  1815.  After  the  war  he  went  to 
Nashville,  Term.,  and  engaged  in  business  for  several  years.  In 
1816  he  married  Elizabeth  Byerson,  daughter  of  Martin  Ryerson, 
of  Hamburg,  who  was  born  December  19th,  1791,  and  died  Sep- 
tember ISth,  1867.  After  his  marriage  he  became  a  merchant  in 
Newton,  and  lived  in  the  stone  house  of  his  father.  To  this  he 
added  the  larger  part,  a  frame  structure  with  brick  front.  In 
1820  he  exchanged  properties  with  his  brother-in-law,  Judge 
Thomas  C.  Ryerson,  and  came  to  Hamburg.  He  lived  for  a  time 
in  the  Walling  house  and,  about  1824,  by  exchange  with  Joseph 
E.  Edsall,  he  acquired  the  present  Creamery  property  and  made 
the  house  his  home  until  his  death,  January  2d,  1868. 

He  was  a  Director  of  the  Sussex  Bank,  and  continued  for 
more  than  fifty  years  one  of  the  first  business  men  of  the  place. 
Much  of  this  time  he  was  Postmaster.  His  business  was  conducted 
on  principles  of  prudence,  so  that  while  many  others  failed,  he  was 
never  overtaken  with  financial  disaster. 

His  eldest  son,  Robert  Andrew,  Jr.,  was  born  in  1817,  and 
died  in  1838,  a  few  days  after  completing  his  majority.  He 
united  with  the  North  Church  when  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  and 
showed  much  earnestness  in  his  young  religious  life. 

The  second  son,  David  Ryerson,  was  born  in  1S20,  spent 
twenty  years  in  California,  and  was  killed  in  1875,  by  falling  acci- 
dentally from  a  railway  train,  while  it  was  in  full  motion,  near 
Hamburg. 

The  third  son,  Thomas  Ryerson,  was  born  1S22,  and  died 
from  heart  disease,  1S67.  For  many  years  of  his  life  he  was  occu- 
pied in  the  care  of  his  father's  farm. 

The  fourth  son,  Theodore  Anderson,  was  born  in  183o,  and 
his  studious  habits  gave  great  promise  of  intellectual  ability.  He 
studied  medicine  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1S50,  but  soon 
after  his  health  declined,  and  he  died  September  5th,  1S52.  The 
bright  hopes  entertained  for  his  future  success  were  thus  suddenly 
cut  off. 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS   AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  13 

His  eldest  daughter,  Anna  3Iary,  was  born  1S19  and  died  in 
1876  ;  a  woman  of  great  goodness  of  heart,  and  cultivated  mind, 
she  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  a  wide  circle  of  friends. 


t.e- 


LAWRENCE  MANSION— 1/94. 

Thomas  Lawrence,  Escj.,  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas.  Among  the  many  who  suffered  great  financial  losses  dur- 
ing our  war  for  Independence  were  the  Lawrence  family,  of  Phil- 
adelphia. For  three  generations  they  had  been  merchants  in  that 
city,  and  had  filled  many  public  offices.  One  Thomas  Lawrence 
was  a  member  of  Penn's  Council,  and  Mayor  of  the  city  when  the 
State  House  was  built.  His  son  Thomas  was  also  Mayor  five 
times,  and  his  son  John  held  the  same  office,  it  being  of  yearly 
appointment.  The  Thomas  who  was  Mayor  for  five  years  had  a 
large  place  called  "  Clairmont,"  on  the  north  side  of  the  city.  He 
died  in  1775,  leaving  three  sons  grown,  and  some  younger  chil- 
dren. It  was  impossible  to  keep  the  property  together,  taxes  were 
enormous,  and  the  family  went  elsewhere  to  seek  a  living- 
Thomas,  the  eldest  son,  came  first  to  Princeton,  where  he  lived 
for  a  few  years  on  a  farm.     In  1784,  he  entered  into  partnership 


11  HARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

with  Mr.  Pobert  Morris,  of  New  York,  but  the  business  was  not 
successful,  and  in  Feb.,  17S7,  he  says:  "The  discouraging  situa- 
tion of  commercial  affairs  has  determined  me  to  retire  to  the  coun- 
try for  the  support  of  my  family." 

His  father-in-law,  Lewis  Morris,  had  a  farm  in  Sussex  Co., 
N.  Jersey,  called  "  Morrisvale.'1  During  the  war  Col.  Morris  was 
unfortunately  situated,  his  home  at  Morrisania,  in  Westchester 
Co.,  being  near  enough  to  both  armies  to  be  in  danger  from  each. 
As  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration,  Col.  Morris  suffered 
most  from  the  English,  and  was  obliged  to  take  up  some  vacant 
lands  in  Sussex  Co.  to  provide  a  living  for  his  family.  He  sent 
slaves  to  cultivate  the  farm,  and  they  carried  grain, vegetables  and 
fruit  over  the  mountain  to  Morrisania.  It  was  this  Sussex  farm 
that  Col.  Morris  rented  to  his  son-in-law,  Thomas  Lawrence,  who 
was  also  his  nephew.  In  May,  1787,  Mr.  Lawrence  brought  his 
wife  and  children  to  Sussex  Co.  One  of  the  little  girls,  then  only 
seven  years  old,  Mrs.  Maria  Shee,  lived  to  tell  in  old  age  the  story 
of  the  long  journey  in  a  carriage  over  the  rough  mountain,  not 
then  crossed  by  a  good  stage-road.  In  1790,  Mr.  Lawrence 
bought  the  property  at  Morrisvale  of  his  uncle,  but  it  did  not 
agree  with  the  health  of  his  family,  so  he  decided  to  build  on 
higher  ground  overlooking  the  broad  meadow  nearer  the  village. 
This  he  accomplished  in  1794,  and  then  turned  his  thoughts  to 
establishing  some  communication  with  the  outside  world.  Sussex 
C.  H.  was  the  only  Post  Office  north  of  Morristown,  but,  in  1795, 
Mr.  Lawrence  and  others  succeeded  in  their  efforts  and  a  Post 
Office  was  opened  in  the  village,  and  the  name  Hamburg  chosen. 
He  kept  careful  accounts  of  arrival  and  departure  of  mails,  often 
carried  on  horse-back,  and  sometimes  twenty-four  hours  behind 
time.  It  is  interesting  to  see  how  an  old  gentleman  of  that  time 
treasured  everything  in  the  way  of  literature  that  he  could  find. 
In  a  scrap-book  he  copied  the  verses  that  pleased  his  fancy,  "  An 
Elegy,  wrote  by  Mr.  Gray,"  "  The  Fireside,  wrote  by  Dr.  Cotton," 
show  his  poetical  tastes,  and  his  letters  to  friends  and  family  con- 
tain many  criticisms  on  modern  literature. 

In  1813,  he  purchased  another  farm  near  the  village,  so  that 
at  his  death,  in  1823,  he  owned  between  seven  and  eight  hundred 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND     FIRST    SETTLERS.  45 

acres  in  the  county,  which  property  is  still  in  possession  of  his 
descendants. 

Mr.  Lawrence  was  first  married  to  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Thomas  Bond,  of  Philadelphia.  She  had  two  daughters,  and  died 
in  Philadelphia  in  1771.  lie  then  married  his  cousin,  Mary 
Morris,  whose  only  son  wras  born  on  that  memorable  day,  July 
4th,  177C.  The  mother  died  a  month  later,  and,  in  1778,  her 
husband  married  her  sister,  Catherine  V.  Both  were  daughters 
of  his  uncle,  Col.  Lewis  Morris,  of  Morrisania. 

The  twTo  elder  daughters  were  married  soon  after  the  family 
came  to  Sussex,  Mary  to  Gabriel  Ludlum,  nephew  of  Robert 
Morris ;  Rebecca  to  Warren  de  Lancy,  of  New  York. 

The  eldest  son  served  as  Ensign  in  the  Regular  Army,  and 
died  a  month  after  receiving  his  commission  as  Lieutenant,  in 
1799. 

Lewis,  the  second  son,  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  in 
Goshen,  where  he  was  at  school. 

Maria,  the  third  daughter,  was  seven  years  old  when  they 
came  to  Sussex.  She  married,  in  1810,  her  cousin,  Walter  Louis 
Siiee,  son  of  Gen.  John  Shee,  of  Philadelphia.  For  a  few  years 
after  marriage  they  lived  in  Oxford,  a  suburb  of  Philadelphia,  but 
Mrs.  Shee  was  anxious  to  return  to  New  Jersey.  In  1814,  her 
father  purchased  the  Beach  farm,  and  rented  it  to  Mr.  Shee. 
They  removed  to  this  property,  in  Hamburg,  which  was  given  to 
Mrs.  Shee  by  her  father's  will,  and  here  she  spent  the  rest  of  her 
life.  Mr.  Shee  became  Postmaster  in  1815,  or  soon  after,  and 
Judge  of  Common  Pleas  Court  under  five  appointments,  serving 
from  1817  to  1842,  and  took  an  active  interest  in  county  affairs. 
He  died  in  1856.  His  wife  survived  all  her  family,  dying  in  the 
spring  of  1870,  as  she  entered  her  90th  year.  Spending  nearly 
all  her  long  life  in  the  place,  she  was  closely  identified  with  it,  and 
seemed  to  the  younger  generation  a  connecting  link  with  the  past. 
In  her  manner  she  preserved  the  stately  formality  of  the  old 
school,  and  had  no  liking  for  modern  ways.  She  never  saw  a 
locomotive  engine,  and  the  idea  of  a  railroad  in  the  place  was  very 
distasteful  to  her.  Those  who  had  heard  her  dread  of  it,  thought 
it  strange  that  on  the  day  ground  was  broken  for  the  Midland 


46  HARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

Railroad,  in  sight  of  her  window,  she  lay  on  her  death  bed. 

Richard,  the  third  son,  studied  surveying,  and  did  much 
active  work  in  the  county.  lie  lived  with  his  sister,  Mrs.  Shee, 
and  died  at  her  house  in  1858. 

Catharine,  the  fourth  daughter,  never  married.  After  the 
death  of  her  parents,  she  lived  in  a  cottage  on  the  Morrisvale 
farm.  Her  benevolence  was  so  universal,  that  "  Aunt  Kitty,"  as 
she  was  called  by  all  who  knew  her,  was  appealed  to  in  every 
trouble.  Her  home  was  like  a  happy  family  in  its  variety  of  pet 
animals.  Ill  health  obliged  her  to  leave  "  The  Cottage  "  in  her  last 
years,  which  were  spent  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  Shee.  She  died  in  1862. 

When  Mrs.  Shee  lived  at  Oxford,  she  met  a  young  girl  who 
had  lost  both  parents  in  infancy  by  yellow  fever.  Mrs.  Shee 
wrote  often  about  this  interesting  young  girl,  and  in  a  letter  to 
her  father  said  she  "  wished  one  of  her  brothers  would  come  on  and 
fall  in  love  with  her,  as  she  would  make  so  good  a  wife."'  Her 
brother  Thomas  took  her  advice,  and  was  married  to  Janet  Will- 
son,  by  Bishop  White,  Dec.  1st,  1813.  They  lived  on  the  Mor- 
risvale farm,  where  Mrs.  Lawrence  died  in  1821,  leaving  two 
children,  Thomas  and  Catherine.  The  son  was  adopted  by  his 
grandparents,  and  the  daughter  by  her  aunt,  Mrs.  Shee.  Mr. 
Lawrence  lived  for  many  years  with  his  sister,  in  the  Morris- 
vale  cottage,  and  died  at  the  residence  of  his  son,  in  Sparta,  in 
1851. 

The  youngest  daughter  in  this  Lawrence  family,  Sarah,  mar- 
ried Dr.  Jesse  Arnell,  a  physician  who  came  to  Hamburg  from 
Goshen.  He  practiced  for  a  few  years,  and  they  were  married  in 
the  spring  of  1813.  Doctor  Arnell  died  in  July,  1811,  and  his 
wife  in  the  following  November. 

Mr.  Lawrence  had  three  other  children,  Jacob,  William  and 
Lena,  who  died  in  infancy,  a  few  years  after  they  came  to  New 
Jersey. 

Samuel  Beach,  M.  D.,  who  sold  to  Thomas  Lawrence,  in 
1805,  the  house  and  land  which  became  the  home  and  farm  of 
Judge  Walter  L.  Shee,  came  with  his  brother,  Calvin,  to  Ham- 
burg from  Parsippany,  Morris  Co.,  N.  J.,  where  their  parents, 
Isaac  and  Mary  (Bigals)  Beach  lived.     Isaac  Beach  died  in  1831, 


INDIAN    INHABITANTS    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS.  47 

aged  89  years.  His  wife  died  in  1830,  aged  82  years.  The 
grandfather  of  Samuel  and  Calvin  Beach  was  Abner,  and  their 
great-grandfather,  Benjamin. 

Dr.  Beach  purchased  lands  which  are  described  as  rive  tracts. 
The  first  three  were  conveyed  by  Abraham  Kitchel  and  Benjamin 
Lindsley  to  Jonathan  Lindsley,  in  1798.  The  4th  tract  was  con- 
veyed by  Joseph  Sharp  and  William  Sharp  to  Jonathan  Lindsley, 
in  1796.  Said  four  tracts  were  conveyed  to  Dr.  Samuel  Beach  by 
Jonathan  Lindsley,  in  1801.  The  fifth  tract  was  the  one  on  which 
the  house  was  built,  and  is  described  as  a  part  of  that  conveyed  by 
heirs  of  Mary  Alexander  to  Gov.  Lewis  Morris. 

When  Mrs.  Shee  made  her  home  here,  in  1814,  the  place  was 
called  "  Oaklands." 

The  two  brothers,  Samuel  and  Calvin,  returned  to  Parsippany, 
where  Calvin  remained  until  his  death.  Dr.  Samuel  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Jeffersonville,  Indiana,  for  more  than  twenty  years.  He 
was  born  Nov.  7th,  1774,  and  died  in  the  city  of  New  York,  June 
1st,  1S36.  The  brothers  were  related  to  Judge  Samuel  Beach 
Ifalsey,  of  Bockaway,  and  to  Dr.  Columbus  Beach,  of  Beach  Glen. 


CHAPTER  III. 

EARLY    SETTLEKB    AND    TIIEIE    FAMILIES CONTINUED. 

The  Ogdens  had  much  influence  in  Hardy ston,  and  the  history 
of  the  town  requires  no  little  mention  of  them.  Going  back  to 
the  first  immigrant  of  the  family,  we  find  John  Ogden,  born  in 
Northampton,  England,  whose  descent  is  traced  from  John  Ogden 
living  in  14G0.  He  lived  in  Stamford,  Conn.,  in  1641,  and  con- 
tracted, in  1042,  with  the  Dutch  Governor,  William  Kieft,  to 
build  a  stone  church  in  the  fort  of  New  Amsterdam.  The  fort 
stocd  within  the  precincts  of  the  present  Battery,  in  New  York 
city.  By  grant  from  Governor  Kieft,  with  Bichard  Denton  and 
others,  he  made  the  settlement  of  Hempstead,  L.  I.,  in  1044.  He 
removed  to  Southampton,  L.  I.,  in  1047  ;  held  office  as  Magistrate 
from  Connecticut  and  New  Haven  Colonies,  and  represented 
Southampton  in  the  upper  house  of  King's  Council,  Conn.  It  is 
claimed  for  him  that  Charles  II  gave  him  armorial  bearings  with 
the  legend  :  ':  Granted  to  John  Ogden  Esquire  by  King  Charles 
the  second,  for  his  faithful  services,  to  his  Unfortunate  Father, 
Charles  the  First." 

In  1004  he  came  to  Elizabethtown,  and  was  one  of  the  two 
original  patentees  who  established  the  settlement  of  the  town.  A 
man  of  sterling  piety,  he  was  frequently  called  "  Good  old  John 
Ogden."  He  died  December,  1081.  Five  grown  sons  accompa- 
nied him  from  Long  Island.  Jonathan,  his  third  son,  was  the 
father  of  Bobert  Ogden  1st,  and  grandfather  of  Kobert  Ogden  2d. 

Robert  Ogden  2d  was  born  at  Elizabethtown,  October  7th, 
1716 ;  married  Bhebe  Hatfield,  and  had  a  large  family  of  chil- 
dren. Mrs.  Ogden  was  a  woman  of  patriotic  spirit,  and  three  of 
her  sons  and  two  sons-in-law  were  in  the  army,  and  her  husband 


EARLY    SETTLERS   AND   THEIR   FAMILIES.  49 

was  a  Commissary  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  Upon  their 
removal  to  Sussex,  she  gave  the  name  of  Sparta  to  their  new 
home  in  the  wilderness,  expressing  the  wish  that  the  youth  of  this 
vicinity  might  emulate  the  virtues  of  the  ancient  Spartans.  The 
name  has  traveled  to  the  village  four  miles  away,  at  the  head  of 
the  Wallkill,  whose  Post  Office  is  Sparta,  while  the  site  of  the 
Ogden  home  is  now  known  as  Ogdensburg. 

Robert  Ogden  2d  filled  numerous  offices  of  honor  and  trust 
under  the  royal  government.  At  that  time  Elizabethtown  was 
the  state  seat  of  government.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Provin- 
cial Council  and  for  several  years  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Assem- 
bly. Being  appointed  one  of  the  delegates  from  the  Legislature 
of  New  Jersey  to  the  Provincial  Congress  that  met  in  New  York 
in  1705,  to  protest  against  the  Stamp  Act,  he,  with  the  chairman 
of  the  convention,  refused  to  sign  the  protest  and  petition  to  the 
King  and  Parliament,  upon  the  ground  that  it  should  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  Provincial  Assembly,  and  through  it  be  presented  to 
the  Government  of  Great  Britain.  Tin's  so  displeased  his  con- 
stituents that  he  was  burned  in  effigy  on  his  return  home.  He 
convened  the  Assembly  and  resigned  his  Speakership  and  mem- 
bership, and  in  his  address  on  the  occasion  said:  "I  trust  Provi- 
dence will,  in  due  time,  make  the  rectitude  of  my  heart  and  my 
inviolable  affection  to  my  country  appear  in  a  fair  light  to  the 
world,  and  that  my  sole  aim  was  the  happiness  of  New  Jersey." 
When  the  war  of  the  Revolution  began  he  took  a  firm  stand  on 
the  side  of  freedom,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Vig- 
ilance of  Elizabethtown.  He  was  so  obnoxious  to  the  Tories  that 
they  made  great  efforts  to  capture  him.  After  the  battle  of  Long 
Island  and  the  occupation  of  New  York  by  the  British,  it  was  no 
longer  safe  for  him  to  remain  in  the  vicinity.  In  a  letter  written 
Oct.  7th,  1776,  to  his  son-in-law,  Colonel  Francis  Barber,  he  says: 
'  "We  still  continue  in  the  old  habitation,  though  almost  surrounded 
by  the  regulars  [British  troops] .  They  have  been  on  Staten 
Island,  a  month  on  Long  Island,  and  three  weeks  in  possession  of 
New  York,  a  large  part  of  which  is  burned  to  the  ground.  A 
very  serious  part  of  the  story — our  troops  yesterday  evacuated 
Bergen — carried  off  the  stores  and  artillery,  moved  oft"  as  many  of 
the  inhabitants  as  could  get  away,  and  fired  all  the  wheat  and. 


50  IIAKDYSTON      MEMORIAL. 

other  grain. 

"  Your  mother  still  seems  undetermined  whether  to  stay  here 
by  the  stuff,  or  remove  to  Sussex.  A  few  days  will  determine 
her,  but  perhaps  in  a  few  days  it  may  be  too  late  to  determine  a 
matter  of  this  importance." 

The  removal  was  forced  upon  them  when  AVashington  re- 
treated through  the  Jerseys,  and  was  no  doubt  effected  soon  after 
this  letter  was  written.  A  division  of  the  British  army  entered 
Elizabethtown  Nov.  29th,  and  the  winter,  which  found  Washing- 
ton in  Morristown,  found  them  in  Sparta. 

The  following  letter  from  his  son,  Matthias,  is  of  interest  as 
showing  their  residence  here  at  the  time  of  its  date,  and  also 
( >gden's  connection  with  the  Continental  army.  He  had  years 
before  served  the  King's  army  as  Commissary,  when  General 
Amherst  commanded  the  royal  forces  ;  and  again  when  General 
Abercrombie  was  commander-in-Chief  before  his  defeat  on  Lake 
George.     Much  of  the  correspondence  is  still  in  existenr-e : 

"Mokris  Town,  January  6,  1777. 

"  Honorable  Sir:  I  send  you  Mr.  Lowrey's  letter,  who,  since  it 
was  written,  has  desired  me  to  inform  you  that  the  way  he  does, 
and  the  method  you  must  take,  is  to  apply  to  General  Washington, 
who  will  give  a  warrant  for  any  sum  of  money  you  may  apply  for 
necessary  for  carrying  on  your  commissary  department.  I  am  in- 
formed there  is  a  complaint  here  for  want  of  flour,  and  I  think  it 
best  you  should  attend  here  }Tourself  as  soon  as  possible — where 
you  will  receive  help  from  the  military  by  General  Washington's 
order,  to  take  wheat  or  any  other  necessary  for  the  army  from 
such  persons  as  have  it  to  spare  without  distressing  their  families. 
General  Washington  will  be  here  about  noon.  Forty  Waldeckers 
were  brought  in  yesterday  by  the  militia.  The  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners  of  the  enemy  at  Princeton  were  about  fiOO  ;  our  loss 
of  men  was  about  ten  or  twelve,  and  of  officers  six  or  eight,  among 
which  was  General  Mercer. 

From  yours  dutifully, 

M.  Ogden." 

"To  llobert  Ogden,  Esq.,  Sussex." 

The  forty  Waldeckers  were  the  Germans,  so  called  from  AVal- 
deck,  whence  they  were  brought,  captured  January  5th,  two  days 
after  the  battle  of  Princeton,  by  Colonel  Oliver  Spencer,  a  son-in- 
law  of  Robert  Ogden,  near  Springfield,  N".  J.     For  his   gallantry 


EAKLY    SETTLERS    AND    THEIR    FAMILIES.  51 

on  this  occasion,  Spencer  was  rewarded  with    the  command  of  a 
regular  regiment. 

Washington  writing  to  Congress  on  the  7th  of  January,  says  : 

"  The  most  considerable  skirmish  was  on  Sunday  morning 
1 5th  |  when  eight  or  ten  Waldeckers  were  killed  or  wounded,  and 
the  remainder  of  the  party,  thirty-nine  or  forty,  made  prisoners, 
with  the  officers,  by  a  force  not  superior  in  number  and  without 
receiving  the  least  damage." 

One  of  Robert  Ogdeirs  descendants  wrote  :  "  My  grand- 
father and  his  wife,  Pliebe  Hatfield,  lived  on  the  rising  ground 
toward  the  Snufftown  mountain.  He  owned  a  great  deal  of  land 
estate  in  this  vicinity  and  some  of  '  Drowned  Lands'  of  Wantage. 
There  were  no  sawmills  in  the  country  when  he  emigrated  from 
Elizabethtown.  The  house  was  built  entirely  of  squared  logs.  I 
have  often  been  in  the  house,  but  before  my  advent  it  was  hand- 
somely covered  with  weather-boards,  and  wrainscoted  and  plastered 
within.  The  house  was  a  large  one,  with  a  hall  running  through 
the  centre.  Four  rooms  were  on  a  floor  and  a  very  large  kitchen. 
My  great-grandmother  and  her  sister,  Bettie  Hatfield,  made  this 
house  and  its  surroundings  very  beautiful.  There  was  a  large  lawn 
and  garden.  Around  the  lawn  were  set  rose-bushes,  lilacs  and  syrin- 
gas  in  regular  order.  The  whole  country  was  at  that  time  a  dense 
forest.  A  clergyman  who  was  a  guest  of  the  family  when  some 
of  the  ornamental  plants  were  in  bloom  exclaimed,  '  Mrs.  Ogden, 
you  have  made  the  wilderness  to  blossom  as  the  rose.' " 

It  was  this  house  that  was  assailed  by  the  gang  of  robbers- 
(called  cowboys)  ;  and  its  ample  cellars  afforded  them  refreshment 
and  booty.  The  leader  of  the  gang  was  Claudius  Smith,  who 
confessed  to  participation  in  the  robbery  when  under  the  gallows 
at  Goshen,  N.  Y.,  where  he  suffered  for  his  numerous  crimes 
January  22d,  1779.  It  was  a  very  cold  night.  A  colored  girl 
said  that  as  she  was  milking,  she  saw  a  man  raise  his  head  from 
behind  a  log  not  far  from  the  house.  But  the  family  were  not 
alarmed,  as  there  were  guards  at  a  station  two  miles  away,  and 
they  thought  themselves  safe  from  the  Tories.  The  miscreants 
robbed  the  house  of  all  the  silver,  but  were  disappointed  in  not 
rinding  the  large  sum  of  money  which  Judge  Ogden   was  sup- 


52  IIARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

posed  to  have  received  for  purchasing  provisions  for  the  Conti- 
nental army.  They  drank  freely  of  some  whiskey  kept  in  the 
cellar,  were  thrown  off  their  guard,  and  found  that  they 
were  recognized.  One  man  said,  "  Judge,  I  have  had  many  a 
good  meal  in  your  house  before  this."  When  they  had  ransacked 
everything  and  collected  their  booty,  they  took  him,  with  the  big 
family  Bible,  down  into  the  cellar,  and  threatened  to  kill  him  if 
he  did  not  take  a  solemn  oath  never  to  divulge  who  they  were,  or 
seek  their  punishment.  Mrs.  Ogden  shrieked,  thinking  they  were 
going  to  murder  him. 

The  alarm  was  sounded  next  morning  by  one  of  the 
negro  boys,  who  hid  himself  in  the  swamp  all  night, 
and  on  going  out  informed  the  guards.  The  troops  with  the 
neighbors  gave  chase.  They  tracked  the  men  in  the  snow,  and 
saw  where  they  had  cooked  and  slept  and  thrown  away  some 
blankets.  A  silver  sugar  bowl  which  had  been  dropped  was  found. 
This  is  still  in  the  possession  of  one  of  Mr.  Ogdeirs  descendants, 
a  lady  of  the  Oliver  Spencer  family,  living  in  Ohio.  More  of 
the  hidden  plunder  was  afterwards  recovered,  but  the  Judge  so 
regarded  his  oath  that  he  refused  to  authorize  any  proceedings 
against  his  spoilers.  lie  had  his  house  barricaded,  and  was  not 
afterwards  disturbed.  According  to  the  date  upon  the  chimney, 
this  house  was  built  in  1TTT,  in  the  spring  and  summer  after  Mr. 
Ogden's  removal  here.     It  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1845. 

Here  we  find  the  germ  of  the  Sparta  Church.  The  record 
of  legal  organization  at  the  County  Clerk's  office  styles  it,  "the 
dwelling  house  of  Rob.  Ogden,  Esq.,  the  present  and  most  usual 
place  of  meeting  of  said  congregation."  Here  its  owner  and  his 
pious  wife  would  gather  their  tenants  and  neighbors  for  divine 
worship,  he  himself  leading  the  services  on  the  Sabbath  when  no 
clergyman  was  present.  The  New  Jersey  Legislature  on  March 
10, 17SG,  passed  an  act  for  the  incorporation  of  religious  societies. 
This  church  was  the  first  to  avail  itself  of  the  new  law,  and,  asso- 
ciated with  the  congregation  of  Cary's  Meeting  House,  they  as- 
sumed the  name  of  "The  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Ilardyston," 
November  23d,  17S6.  Steps  had  been  previously  taken  towards 
the  erection  of  a   meeting  house.     Snow    was  on  the  ground   in 


EARLY    SETTLERS    AND    THEIR    FAMILIES.  53 

the  spring  of  17S6,  when  the  first  timber  was  cut. 

Judge  Ogden  died  January  21st,  1787,  in  his  71st  year. 
Before  the  completion  of  the  new  meeting  house,  he  was  laid  to 
rest  a  little  in  its  rear.  Before  his  removal  to  Sussex  he  had 
long  been  an  Elder  in  the  Elizabethtown  church,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  1763  and  1766. 
II  is  lands  extended  from  the  head  of  the  Wallkill  to  Franklin 
Furnace,  with  large  tracts  of  mountain  land.  Ogden  Mine  was 
worked  in  1762,  and  named  for  him.  The  zinc  mines  were 
opened  long  after  his  death,  u-pon  lands  once  his.  lie  owned  por- 
tions of  the  Wallkill  Drowned  Lands.  The  turnpike  bridge  across 
the  Wallkill,  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  Hamburg,  has  always 
been  called  "  Ogden's  Bridge." 

Mrs.  Phebe  Ogden  survived  her  husband  and  died  December 
22,  1796.  Ifer  remains  were  buried  beside  his  in  the  Sparta 
church  varcl. 


From  History  of  the  Cliosophic  Society. 
Memoir  of  Robert  Ogden. 
By  the  Hon.  Daniel  Haines,  Associate  Justice  of   the   Supreme 
Court  of  New  Jersey. 

Robert  Ogden,  Jr.,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Cliosophic  So- 
ciety, was  the  great-grandson  of  Jonathan  Ogden,  who  was  one  of 
the  original  associates  of  the  "  Elizabethtown  purchase,"  and  who 
died  in  1732,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six. 

Of  his  grandfather,  Robert  Ogden,  but  little  is  known  by  the 
present  generation,  except  that  he  was  one  of  a  long  line  of  pious 
ancestry. 

His  father,  Robert  Ogden,  Sr.,  resided  at  the  old  borough  of 
Elizabeth,  1ST.  J.,  and  filled  with  ability  and  fidelity,  several  offices 
of  honor  and  trust ;  among  others,  that  of  Surrogate  for  the  Coun- 
ty of  Essex.  He  was  one  of  the  King's  counsellors,  and  for  sev- 
eral years  speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly. 

During  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  he  was  one  of  the  three 
who  composed  the  Patriots'  Committee  of  Vigilance  for  the 
town.  During  the  struggle,  he  retired  to  Sparta,  in  the  County 
of  Sussex,  where  he  continued  a  life  of  usefulness,  to  both  church 
and  state,  until  the  year  1787,  when  he  died,  at  the  full  age  of 
three  score  years  and  ten. 


a4  IIABDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

Robert  Ogden,  Jr.,  was  born  at  Elizabethtown,  on  the  23d  of 
March,  1746.  He  entered  the  college  of  New  Jersey  at  the  age  of 
sixteen,  and  graduated  in  1TG5,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years. 
While  a  member  of  College,  he  united  with  William  Patterson, 
Luther  Martin,  Oliver  Ellsworth  and  Tapping  Reeve,  in  the  for- 
mation of  the  Cliosophic  Society,  then  known  by  the  name  of  the 
"  Weil-Meaning  Society." 

lie  chose  the  profession  of  the  law,  and  pursued  his  prepara- 
tory course  under  the  direction  of  that  distinguished  jurist  and 
eminent  statesman,  Richard  Stockton,  one  of  the  signers  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence. 

Having  completed  his  term  of  clerkship,  Mr.  Ogden  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar,  and  received  "  a  license  to  practice  law  in  all  the 
courts  of  New  Jersey,  on  the  21st  June,  1770." 

In  April,  1772,  Governor  Franklin  showed  his  confidence  in 
his  ability  and  integrity  by  appointing  him  "  One  of  the  Surro- 
gates of  New  Jersey,  in  the  room  and  stead  of  his  father  Robert 
Ogden,  Senior,  resigned." 

lie  opened  his  law  office  at  Elizabethtown,  and  soon  acquired 
an  extensive  and  lucrative  practice,  and  the  name  par  excellence  of 
the  "  Honest  Lawyer."  In  such  esteem  was  he  held  that,  within 
ten  years  after  his  admission  to  the  bar,  he  was  called  to  the 
degree  of  Sergeant-at-Law,  then  held  by  twelve  only  of  the  most 
learned  and  upright  counsellors. 

During  the  war  with  Great  Britain  he  took  an  active  and 
efficient  part,  and  by  his  energy  and  means  contributed  much  to 
the  establishment  of  American  independence.  In  patriotism  and 
valor  he  was  not  surpassed  even  by  his  brother,  General  Matthias 
Ogden,  who  was  wounded  at  the  storming  of  the  heights  of 
Quebec,  and  subsequently  distinguished  for  military  skill  and  per- 
sonal daring  in  many  battle-fields  of  the  Revolution.  But  Prov- 
idence denied  to  him  the  honors  of  the  field.  His  right  arm  hav- 
ing been  disabled  by  a  fall  in  childhood,  he  could  neither  wield  a 
sword  nor  handle  a  musket,  but  he  rendered  good  service  in  the 
capacity  of  Quartermaster  and  Commissary  of  stores.  He  gave 
his  time  and  his  talents,  spent  his  mone}r  and  pledged  his  credit 
freely  to  supply  the  suffering  army  of  Washington  with  subsist- 
ence, clothing,  horses,  and  transportation.  His  readiness  and  abil- 
ity to  do  this  will  be  shown  by  the  following  incident:  His 
brother,  Captain  Aaron  Ogden,  afterwards  Colonel,  and  Governor 
of  New  Jersey,  one  of  the  aides-de-camp  of  General  Lafayette, 
was  summoned  to  the  tent  of  that  distinguished  and  beloved 
patriot  and  friend  of  American  liberty.  On  his  appearing  at  the 
tent,  the  Marquis  said,  "  Captain  Ogden,  have  you  a  good  horse  ? " 


EARLY    SETTLERS    AND    THEIK    FAMILIES.  55 

"  No,  sir,"  replied  the  Captain,  "  but  my  brother  Robert  has." 
"Get  one,"  said  the  commander,  "and  select  twenty-rive  men  as 
escort.  Let  them  be  well  mounted,  and  equipped  in  the  best 
manner,  and  report  to  me  at  twelve  o'clock,  for  a  delicate  and  im- 
portant service."  At  the  hour  named,  Captain  Ogden,  with  the 
escort,  appeared  mounted  and  equipped  as  ordered.  He  was  then 
instructed  to  bear  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  British  officer  in  command 
at  Paulus  Hook,  with  the  verbal  message  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
whose  headquarters  were  in  the  city  of  New  York,  proposing  to 
exchange  Major  Andre  for  the  traitor  Arnold.  This  proposition, 
as  is  well  known,  was  rejected  ;  but  the  gallant  Captain  who  bore 
it,  and  the  Commissary  who  furnished  the  horses  and  equipments, 
then  so  important  in  the  impoverished  condition  of  the  country, 
alike  received  the  commendations  of  Lafayette  and  Washington. 

After  the  establishment  of  American  independence,  Mr. 
Ogden  resumed  his  profession  at  Elizabeth,  and  practiced  law  with 
great  success,  until  the  state  of  his  health  required  his  removal  to 
a  place  beyond  the  influence  of  the  sea  air ;  and  he  retired  to  a 
farm  in  Sussex,  [spring  of  1786]  which  on  the  death  of  his  father 
descended  to  him.  There  he  lived  in  dignity,  but  not  in  idleness. 
There  he  increased  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  and  cultivated  the 
graces  of  the  head  and  of  the  heart.  There  he  acted  the  part  of 
a  wise  counsellor,  and  of  a  warm  and  an  efficient  friend.  There 
lie  became  a  ruling  elder,  and  one  of  the  chief  supporters  of  the 
Sparta  Chm-ch  ;  representing  it  in  nearly  every  church  judicatory, 
and  being  almost  a  standing  commissioner  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly. 

Having  no  ambition  for  political  distinction,  he  declined  all 
public  offices.  And,  except  in  the  representation  of  the  county  in 
the  State  Legislature,  on  one  or  more  occasions,  he  adhered  to  the 
maxim,  "  The  post  of  honor  is  the  private  station."  At  the  close 
of  his  life,  not  forgetting  his  Alma  Mater,  he  left  a  legacy  to  the 
college  of  New  Jersey,  which  was  more  than  a  tenth  part  of  the 
residuum  of  his  estate,  reduced  in  value  as  it  was  by  great  and 
general  commercial  depression. 

The  last  year  of  his  life  he  spent  with  one  of  his  daughters 
|  Mrs.  Mary  Haines]  at  Hamburg,  in  the  county  of  Sussex,  and 
died  on  the  14th  of  February,  1826,  a  few  days  before  the  com- 
pletion of  his  eightieth  year,  in  the  Lawrence  house. 

Mr.  Ogden  was  a  fine  scholar,  and  kept  up  his  classical  read- 
ing, and  wTas  delighted  with  the  exercise,  now  so  generally  in  dis- 
use, of  capping  verses  of  Greek  and  Latin  poetry  ;  a  pleasure, 
however,  in  which  in  the  later  part  of  his  life,  he  could  seldom 
indulge  for  the  want  of  a  competitor. 


56  HARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

His  taste  for  English  literature  was  also  marked,  and  his  let- 
ters and  all  his  writings  exhibit  much  strength  of  thought,  and  are 
decidedly  Addisonian  in  style.  To  the  close  of  his  life  he  was  of  a 
most  cheerful  temper,  and  a  delightful  and  instructive  companion. 
He  especially  enjoyed  the  society  of  the  young  and  made  them 
seek  and  enjoy  his.  He  reared  a  large  family  of  children  and  left 
a  very  numerous  posterity,  who  have  moved  in  various  spheres  in 
different  sections  of  our  Country ;  many  of  them  eminently  suc- 
cessful in  public  and  private  life ;  and  many  now  walking  in  the 
pious  steps  of  their  ancestors,  realizing  the  truth  of  the  promise, 
k'  I  will  be  a  God  unto  thee  and  to  thy  seed  after  thee." 

Mr.  Ogden's  pay  for  subsistence  furnished  the  army  was  much 
of  it  in  Continental  money  (worthless  at  the  end  of  the  war),  which 
was  kept  in  an  old  trunk  in  a  garret  until  finally  scattered  and 
lost.  His  house  in  Sussex  Co.  is  still  standing.  It  was  built  by 
Mr.  Iloagland.  When  asthma  drove  him  from  the  sea-board,  he 
relinquished  to  his  brother  Aaron  a  fine  law  practice.  They 
exchanged  properties,  and  he  received  lands  in  Sussex  county, 
for  others  in  Elizabethtown  and  vicinity.  His  final  re- 
moval to  Sussex  was  near  the  spring  of  1786.  A  deed  from  his 
father,  Ilobert  Ogden,  Sr.,  conveys  ten  acres  of  land  for  the  con- 
sideration of  £250  proclamation  money  of  New  Jersey.  The  de- 
scription says :  "  All  that  Messuage,  Tenement  &  Tract  of  Land 
on  which  the  said  Ilobert  Ogden  Junior  now  lives,  Beginning  at  a 
stake  on  the  west  side  of  the  Koad  leading  to  the  New  Meeting 
House." 

In  the  fall  of  1776  he  was  obliged  to  remove  his  family  to 
Morristown  for  safety  from  the  raids  of  the  British  troops  and 
Tories  who  came  over  from  Staten  Island.  In  1777  he  took  them 
to  Turkey,  now  New  Providence,  in  Union  county,  where  he 
resided  until  near  the  close  of  the  war.  His  first  wife  was  Sarah 
Piatt,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Piatt,  of  Huntington,  L.  I.  Their 
children  were  Elizabeth  Piatt,  wife  of  Colonel  Joseph  Jackson,  of 
Kockaway ;  Ilobert  Ogden  1th,  who  removed  to  New  Orleans,  a 
lawyer  of  distinction  and  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Louisi- 
ana ;  Mary,  wife  of  Elias  Haines ;  Jeremiah,  drowned  in 
Elizabethtown  creek,  and  Sarah  Piatt,  wife  of  Cornelius  Dubois, 
of  New  York.     Mrs.  Oaden  died  two  hours  after  the  birth  of  this 


EARLY    SETTLERS    AND    THEIR    FAMILIES.  57 

child.  Mr.  (Jo-den  was  about  to  try  a  case  before  the  court  in 
Newark  when  a  messenger  came  with  the  sad  announcement,  and 
he  fainted  in  the  court  room.  His  second  wife  was  Hannah  Piatt, 
sister  of  his  first  wife.  Their  children  were  Rebecca  Wood  Piatt, 
who  married  Doctor  Samuel  Fowler,  of  Franklin  Furnace ;  Han- 
nah Amelia  Jarvis,  wife  of  Thomas  C.  Ryerson,  Judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  of  Hamburg,  and  afterwards  of  Newton  ;  Phebe 
Henrietta  Maria,  2d  wife  of  Judge  Thomas  C.  Ryerson ;  Zophar 
Piatt ;  William  Henry  Augustus,  and  John  Adams.  One  of  his 
latest  gifts  to  the  Sparta  church  was  the  silver  communion  set, 
presented  just  before  his  removal,  in  May,  1821,  to  Franklin, 
where  he  made  his  home  with  his  son-in-law,  Dr.  Fowler,  until 
his  grandson,  Daniel  Haines,  came  to  Hamburg  with  his  widowed 
mother,  Mary  Haines,  when  he  went  to  live  with  them.  He  had 
been  au  Elder  of  the  church  for  forty  years. 

General  Matthias  Ogden,  son  of  Robert  2d,  born  Oct.  ^2d, 
1754,  inherited  his  father's  Elizabethtown  residence  which  he 
made  his  home.  He  was  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 
First  Regiment  New  Jersey  Line,  December,  17T5  ;  was  wounded 
in  storming  the  Heights  of  Quebec,  December  31st  of  the  same 
year  ;  distinguished  throughout  the  war,  and  made  Brigadeir  Gen- 
eral by  brevet.  He  was  cut  down  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  amid 
prevailing  lamentation  was  buried  with  every  token  of  honor  and 
affection.  His  tomb  is  in  the  Elizabethtown  church  yard,  and 
reads : 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  General  Matthias  Ogden,  who  died 
on  the  31st  day  of  March,  1791,  aged  36  years.     In  him   were 
united  those  various  virtues  of  the  soldier,  the  patriot,  and   the 
friend,  which  endear  men  to  society.     Distress  failed  not  to  find 
relief  in  his  bounty ;  unfortunate  men,  a  refuge  in  his  generosity. 
If  manly  sense  and  dignity  of  mind, 
If  social  virtues  liberal  and  refined, 
Nipp'd  in  their  bloom,  deserve  compassion's  tear. 
Then,  reader,  weep ;  for  Ogden's  dust  lies  here. 
Weed  his  grave  clean,  ye  men  of  genius,  for  he  was  your 
kinsman. 

Tread  lightly  on  his  ashes,  ye  men  of  feeling,  for  he  was  your 
brother." 

Aaron  Ogden,  son  of  Robert  Ogden  2d,  was  born  Dec.  3d 


58  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

1756.  lie  was  carefully  educated,  graduating  at  Princeton  Col- 
lege in  1773,  in  his  seventeenth  year.  In  the  winter  of  1775  he 
joined  a  volunteer  corps  at  Elizabethtown,  and  was  one  of  the 
party  who  captured  a  transport  lying  off  Sandy  Hook.  The  men 
embarked  in  shallops  and  row  boats,  boarded  the  ship  and  made 
her  their  prize.  She  proved  to  be  the  Blue  Mountain  Valley,  of 
three  hundred  tons,  loaded  with  coal,  flour  and  live  stock  for  the 
British  troops  at  Boston.  A  resolution  of  Congress  commended 
this  exploit. 

Ogden  joined  the  regiment,  commanded  by  his  brother  Mat- 
thias, and  actively  participated  in  the  battle  of  Brandywine.  At 
Monmouth  he  was  Brigade  Major  and  acted  as  Aide  to  Lord  Stir- 
ling. By  Washington's  personal  direction,  at  the  most  critical 
moment  of  the  day,  he  rode  forward  to  reconnoiter,  and  from  his 
report,  Washington  ordered  the  advance  which  determined  the 
action.  In  the  charge  made  and  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  he 
bore  a  conspicuous  part.  When  night  came  on,  instead  of  sleeping 
he  wrote  a  tender,  filial  letter  to  his  father,  detailing  the  incidents 
of  the  day.  We  may  mention  his  heroism  at  Springfield,  when  his 
horse  was  shot  under  him  ;  and  his  saving  of  Maxwell's  Brigade, 
when  a  large  British  force  from  New  York  came  over  by  Staten 
Island  to  destroy  it.  lie  gave  timely  notice  to  the  threatened 
command,  but  was  severely  wounded  in  the  breast  from  a  bayonet 
stab  by  a  British  sentinal.  In  1779,  he  took  part  in  the  expedi- 
tion of  General  John  Sullivan  against  the  hostile  Indians.  Soon 
after  he  was  appointed  Captain  of  a  company  of  Light  Infantry  in 
the  corps  of  Lafayette.  He  was  with  Lafayette  in  Virginia  and 
covered  his  retreat,  when  the  young  Marquis  had  nearly  fallen 
into  the  grasp  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  He  was  commended  by  Gen- 
eral Washington  for  "  having  with  his  company  gallantly  stormed 
the  left  redoubt  of  the  enemy,"  at  Yorktown.  A  warm  friend- 
ship grew  up  between  him  and  Lafayette  ;  and  upon  the  latter's 
visit  to  America  long  afterwards,  he  gave  honorable  mention  of 
his  esteem  for  Ogden  and  his  services. 

When  dismissed  from  the  army  with  the  other  officers  at 
Newburg,  he  resolved  to  study  law,  and  carried  out  this  reso- 
lution by  coming  to  Sussex,  and  spending  the  winter  at  his  father's 


EARLY    SETTLERS    AM)    THEIR     FAMILIES.  59 

house  in  Ogdensburg,  where  he  devoted  his  time  assiduously  to 
Blackstone.  He  was  licensed  as  an  attorney  in  September,  1784, 
the  regular  period  of  study,  no  doubt,  being  shortened  in  consid- 
eration of  his  military  services,  and  he  was  received  upon  his 
examination.  He  was  afterwards  admitted  a  counsellor,  and  in 
1794  made  Sergeant-at-Law.  In  1797,  he  was  appointed  Colonel 
of  the  15th  U.  S.  Regiment,  when  war  with  France  was  contem- 
plated. He  was  chosen  U.  S.  Senator  in  1801,  for  two  years,  fill- 
ing an  unexpired  term.  In  1812,  the  Federal  party,  having  the 
ascendency  in  the  State,  the  Legislature  chose  him  Governor. 
While  in  this  office,  President  Madison  nominated  him  as  a  Major- 
General,  with  the  intention  of  giving  him  the  command  of  the 
forces  operating  against  Canada,  and  his  nomination  was  unani- 
mously confirmed  by  the  Senate.  With  reluctance  he  declined 
this  high  honor,  thinking  that  his  obligation  to  the  party  which 
elected  him  precluded  him  from  acceptance.  AVith  great  modesty 
he  expressed  his  opinion  that  he  could  serve  the  national  cause 
better  as  Governor  of  New  Jersey  than  as  a  general  on  the  field. 

He  engaged  in  the  building  and  running  of  steamboats,  and 
sunk  much  of  his  means  in  the  business  and  in  contentions  with 
rivals.  In  1829,  he  removed  to  Jersey  City,  and  in  the  winter  of 
that  year  was  arrested  for  debt  in  New  York  city  and  thrown  into 
the  old  Provo6t  prison,  which  still  stands  in  the  City  Hall  Park, 
and  is  now  called  the  Hall  of  Records.  Esteeming  the  debt  unjust 
and  his  imprisonment  a  wrong,  he  declined  the  offer  of  friends  to 
settle  the  claim.  The  story  of  his  arrest  was  carried  to  Albany, 
where  a  law  was  passed  forbidding  imprisonment  for  debt  of  a 
Revolutionary  soldier  and  directing  his  immediate  release.  So  the 
trusted  Aide  of  Washington,  the  companion  of  Lafayette,  and 
President  of  the  Society  of  Cincinnati,  had  the  prison  doors  opened 
for  him.  Congress  gave  him  a  pension,  and  created  for  him  the 
position  of  Custom  House  officer  at  Jersey  City.  The  State  of 
New  Jersey  donated  lands  to  him  along  the  river  shore,  which 
proved  of  no  great  profit  then,  but  in  recent  years  these  have 
risen  to  immense  value.  He  died  at  Jersey  City  in  1839,  at  the 
age  of  eight}*-three. 

Elias  Ogden,  the  youngest  son  surviving  childhood  of  Robert 


60  IIAEDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

2d,  born  November  9th,  17G3,  inherited  his  father's  homestead. 
He  was  a  man  of  great  business  capacity,  carried  on  farming  ex- 
tensively, and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  iron.  His  forge 
was  located  upon  the  Wallkill,  two  miles  above  Franklin  Furnace, 
and  he  brought  his  ore  from  the  Ogden  mine  upon  the  moun- 
tain. He  died  at  the  Haines  house,  in  Hamburg,  while  on 
a  visit  to  Mr.  Sharp,  March  31st,  1805.  His  wife  died  shortly 
after,  and  his  family  of  young  children  were  left  to  the  care  of 
their  relatives.  His  son,  Matthias  Hatfield  Ogden,  was  an 
Elder  in  Sparta  Church,  and  removed  to  Hamburg  in  1832.  He 
was  clerk  for  the  Hamburg  Manufacturing  Company,  and  lost 
largely  by  their  failure.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  a  use- 
ful citizen.  He  had  talent  for  singing,  gave  the  young  people  in- 
struction in  vocal  music,  and  led  the  choir  in  the  Presbyterian 
meetings  at  the  North  Church  and  Hamburg.  His  home  was  the 
house  which  the  late  Dr.  William  II.  Linn  purchased  and  remod- 
eled. "While  living  here  he  lost  several  of  his  children  by  small- 
pox, which  the  elder  son  had  contracted  when  a  clerk  in  New 
York  city.  He  lived  to  a  good  age,  77  years,  dying  in  Wisconsin 
whither  he  had  removed,  January  8th,  1870.  William  Anderson, 
another  son  of  Elias  Ogden,  continued  to  live  in  the  homestead 
after  his  father's  death.  Henry  Warren,  son  of  Elias  Ogden,  was 
Captain  in  the  Navy,  and  highly  distinguished  for  bravery  and 
seamanship.  Thomas  Anderson,  youngest  son  of  Elias  Ogden, 
was  a  Presbyterian  minister :  graduated  at  Princeton  College 
1  s 21,  and  Princeton  Theological  Seminary.  A  portion  of  Ster- 
ling Hill,  where  are  the  richest  zinc  mines,  fell  to  his  inheritance. 
His  father's  executor  sold  it  for  five  dollars  per  acre,  that  he  might 
meet  the  expenses  of  his  education.  The  value  of  the  mines  was 
not  then  appreciated.  He  was  licensed  by  Presbytery  which  met 
in  Hamburg  Church  ;  became  pastor  at  Abingdon,Va.,  and  after- 
wards at  Halafax,  Ya. ;  was  missionary  in  Mississippi  for  many 
years,  and  died  at  Elizabeth. 

Southampton,  Long  Island,  was  settled  by  men  of  Plymouth 
Colony,  Mass.  Governor  Winthrop,  in  his  journal,  states  that 
about  forty  families,  finding  themselves  straightened,  left  the  town 
of  Lynn,  with  the  design  of  settling  a  new  plantation.     They  in- 


KAKI.Y    SETTLERS    AND    THEIR    FAMILIES.  61 

vited  Rev.  Abraham  Pierson,  of  Boston,  to  be  their  minister. 
The  Dutch  had  claimed  Long  Island  and  made  their  settlements 
on  its  western  end.  In  1636,  King  Charles  I,  regardless  of  the 
Dutch  claims,  gave  to  William  Alexander,  Earl  of  Stirling,  a 
patent  for  Long  Island,  and  the  islands  adjacent.  The  Earl  gave  a 
power  of  attorney  to  James  Farrel  to  dispose  of  his  lands  on  Long 
Island.  The  Lynn  colony  was  formed,  and  an  agreement  was 
made  with  Farrel,  dated  April  17th,  1640,  for  eight  square  miles 
of  land  to  be  located  in  any  part  of  Long  Island,  and  the  amount 
to  be  paid  to  the  Earl  was  to  be  fixed  by  Governor  John  Win- 
throp,  of  Mass.  In  consideration  that  the  country  was  a  wilder- 
ness, and  that  the  Indians  pretended  to  have  some  claims  to  their 
native  soil,  four  bushels  of  Indian  corn,  to  be  paid  annually  at 
Southampton  on  the  last  day  of  September,  were  considered  suffi- 
cient to  liquidate  the  debt.  Captain  Daniel  How  carried  the  col- 
onists to  their  place  of  destination  in  his  vessel,  and  the  settle- 
ment at  Southampton  was  effected  in  June,  1640.  An  amicable 
arrangement  was  made  with  the  Indians,  and  their  rights  in  the 
eight  miles  square  of  land  were  purchased  for  sixteen  coats,  and 
three  score  bushels  of  Indian  corn,  with  an  agreement  to  defend 
the  Indians  from  the  violence  of  other  tribes. 

The  colonists  had  not  long  since  emigrated  from  England. 
The}'  were  young  men,  some  of  them  from  Northampton,  others 
from  Buckinghamshire  and  Lincolnshire  ;  but  the  majority  com- 
ing from  Southampton,  they  gave  this  name  to  the  new  town. 
Men  of  sterling  worth  and  of  the  best  class  of  English  settlers, 
they  formed  their  church  organization  before  leaving  Lynn,  and 
erected  their  house  of  worship  the  second  year  of  their  settlement 
at  Southampton. 

Young  Benjamin  Haines  was  among  the  first  arrivals  from 
Lynn  to  Southampton,  and  is  named  in  the  original  list  of  set- 
tlers. He  had  recently  emigrated  from  England,  and  married 
Johanna,  daughter  of  John  Jennings,  at  Southold.  His  third  son 
was  James,  born  1662,  and  died  1721,  whose  grave  is  in  the 
"Hay  ground  yard,"  at  Bridgehampton.  Benjamin's  grandson, 
Stephen  Haines  1st,  born  1704,  removed  in  1725  to  Elizabeth- 
town,  where  his  son,  Stephen  Haines  2d,  was  born  in  1733. 


62  IIAEDYST0N     MEMORIAL. 

Stephen  Haines  2d,  by  his  patriotic  efforts,  rendered  him- 
self very  obnoxious  to  the  British,  who,  after  the  battle  of  Long 
Island,  held  New  York  and  Staten  Island.  From  the  latter  place 
boats  filled  with  armed  men  would  come  over  to  make  raids  upon 
the  Jersey  inhabitants.  One  night  when  Stephen  Haines  and  his 
wife  were  asleep  in  their  bedroom  on  the  ground  floor  of  their 
dwelling,  they  were  awakened  by  the  tramp  of  horses  outside. 
English  troops,  guided  by  tories,  who  knew  the  place  well,  had 
come  over  for  his  apprehension,  lie  sprang  from  his  bed  to  the 
window,  but  only  to  find  it  guarded  by  a  sentinal.  He  passed 
through  another  room  to  the  kitchen,  thinking  to  escape  by  that 
door.  It  also  was  guarded,  as  well  as  every  window.  There  was 
a  back  kitchen  with  rather  an  obscure  door,  and  by  that  he  made 
his  way  to  the  open  air.  On  the  west  of  the  house  was  a  corn 
field,  with  the  dry  stalks  standing.  He  sought  to  gain  this  hiding- 
place,  but  was  discovered  as  he  was  about  to  spring  over  the  fence, 
and  a  man  rushed  upon  him  with  a  bayonet  crying,  "  Surrender, 
or  die !  "  He  was  taken  prisoner  and  marched  off  barefoot  and  in 
his  night  clothes.  He  had  three  miles  to  walk  in  this  way,  and 
was  then  sent  fifteen  miles  by  water  to  New  York  where  he  was 
imprisoned  in  the  dreadful  pen  the  British  had  made  of  the  old 
sugar  house,  which  stood  in  Nassau  street.  The  hardships  he 
endured  were  very  great,  but  he  survived,  while  many  died.  He 
was  captured  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  and  was  not  released  until 
after  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  June,  1778,  when  the  numerous 
captures  by  Washington  made  the  British  glad  to  effect  an  ex- 
change of  prisoners. 

Stephen  2d's  oldest  son,  Job  Haines,  was  twenty  years  old 
when  the  war  broke  out.  He  was  a  private  among  the  "  Jersey 
Blues,"  but  was  detailed  to  transport  merchandise  from  Philadel- 
phia. It  was  a  great  task  to  bring  a  loaded  wagon  at  that  time 
from  such  a  distance.  He  had  just  arrived  from  one  of  his  toil- 
some trips  and  was  asleep  in  his  own  bedroom,  when  the  house 
was  surrounded.  Some  informer  had  notified  the  British  of  his 
return.  His  only  sister,  Joanna,  had  been  extremely  wakeful 
since  her  father's  capture,  and  hearing  the  tramp  of  horsemen, 
sprang  to  her  brother's  door,  awakened  him,  and  hurried  him  into 


EARLY    SETTLERS    \X\)    THEIK  FAMILIES.  63 

a  smoke  closet  connected  with  the  kitchen  chimney,  where  the 
family  meats  were  cured.  She  locked  the  door  and  took  the  key. 
Pretending  to  be  asleep,  she  did  not  rise  until  the  troopers  poured 
into  the  house,  and  then  was  a  long  time  finding  a  light.  At  their 
order  she  took  them  through  the  house,  opening  every  other  door 
but  the  one  to  the  smoke  closet.  They  showed  much  disappoint- 
ment, and  went  away  cursing  the  Tory  who  had  lied  to  them. 

The  second  son,  Elias  Haines,  was  at  that  time  eleven  years 
old ;  but,  boy  as  he  was,  he  soon  had  a  man's  responsibility  in  the 
care  of  their  house  and  cattle.  Their  horses  were  stolen,  and  only 
an  ox  team  was  left.  Pickets  were  stationed  in  the  vicinity  of 
Elizabethtown  to  warn  the  people  of  the  coming  of  their  oppres- 
sors. "Whenever  the  warning  gun  was  heard,  it  was  Elias's  duty 
to  put  the  oxen  to  the  sled,  and  with  the  remaining  members  of 
the  family  and  some  of  their  goods,  to  start  through  the  back  lane 
to  reach  a  small  retired  house  they  owned  at  "Sodom,'1  where 
they  could  be  concealed  until  the  invaders  were  gone. 

Elias  became  a  merchant  in  New  York,  and  had  business 
transactions  which  frequently  brought  him  to  this  county,  where 
he  was  well  known.  He  supplied  the  early  stores  with  many  of 
their  goods,  and  dealt  with  the  iron  men.  He  sometimes  visited 
the  house  of  Robert  Ogden  3d,  and,  in  1800,  married  his  second 
daughter,  Mary.  Their  house  stood  fronting  the  Battery,  in  New 
York,  near  what  is  now  the  corner  of  White  Hall  and  South 
streets.  With  partners,  he  formed  the  design  of  a  settlement  in 
Florida,  and  obtained  from  the  Spanish  authorities  the  "  Aredondo 
Grant."  He  spent  much  time  and  money  in  the  enterprise,  but 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Seminole  war  drove  off  the  settlers,  and 
after  the  territory  came  into  the  possession  of  the  United  States, 
the  Government  refused  to  re-establish  them  in  their  rights,  or 
recognize  the  grant  given  by  the  Spanish  authorities.  Elias  died 
October  11th,  1824,  at  Elizabethtown. 

Incident  given  by  the  late  Mrs.  Henry  T.  Darrah  : 
"  Miss  Joanna  Haines  was  my  father's  sister,  and  was  an  only 
daughter  in  a  family  of  four  brothers,  Job,  Elias,  Stephen  and 
Daniel.  Joanna  grew  up  a  beautiful  }Toung  girl,  with  clearly 
cut  features,  a  fine  blue  eye,  transparent  complexion  with  the 
blush  of  the  rose  on  each  cheek.     My  aunt,  being  an  only  daugh- 


64  HARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

ter,  was  indulged  in  a  dainty  wardrobe.  Many  of  her  dresses 
had  been  imported  by  special  order  from  England.  She  wore 
high  heeled  shoes,  which  were  made  to  her  measure  in  London,  » 
I  have  myself  seen  some  of  the  relics.  Her  great  band  box, 
which  fastened  with  a  lock  and  key,  had  brought  across  the  ocean 
her  beaver  hat,  trimmed  with  gold  lace  and  black  ostrich  feathers. 

"  One  day  a  party  of  Hessians  rode  up  to  the  house,  went 
into  the  kitchen,  the  pantry,  and  cellars,  and  finding  edibles  to 
satisfy  their  voracious  appetites,  they  searched  for  booty  to  carry 
off.  They  went  into  my  aunt's  room,  ransacked  her  bureaus, 
went  through  her  '  chest  of  drawers,'  took  the  sheets  from  the 
bed,  and  r>iled  in  all  they  could  carry  away  or  make  of  most 
advantage  to  themselves.  She  followed  them  from  room  to  room, 
remonstrating,  pleading  and  begging  for  her  treasures.  Two 
of  the  men  took  each  a  huge  pack  upon  his  back,  and  when 
they  had  reached  the  front  door,  up  rode  to  the  verandah  a 
fine  looking  British  officer.  The  young  girl  went  to  the  front  of 
the  piazza  and,  with  the  loquacity  of  a  woman,  and  the  eloquence 
of  an  injured  person,  told  her  trouble.  He  smiled  and  said  '  you 
shall  have  all  your  goods  back  again  if  you  will  grant  me  a  favor. 
I  want  you  to  give  me  one  kiss  with  your  lips,  and  let  me 
imprint  a  kiss  upon  your  beautiful  cheek.'  Her  modest}7  and 
maidenly  nature  rebelled  ;  but  she  cast  her  eye  on  the  two  huge 
bundles,  thought  of  the  immensity  of  her  loss,  lifted  her 
blushing  face  to  the  English  officer's  and  sealed  the  compact.  He 
immediately  reprimanded  the  marauders  in  their  own  language, 
made  them  return  the  articles  and  bade  them  never  to  enter  that 
house  again/1 

Mary,  the  daughter  of  Robert  Ogden  3d,  and  wife  of 
Elias  Haines,  was  born  July  3d,  1778,  at  Turkey,  now  New 
Providence,  in  Union  County,  N.  J.  After  the  battle  of  Long 
Island  and  the  occupation  of  New  York  by  the  British,  the 
horrors  of  war  became  so  alarming  that  all  of  the  residents  of 
Elizabeth  town  who  could  do  so  removed  their  families  to  a 
safe  place.  Her  father  first  went  to  Morristown  and  later  to 
Turkey.  The  war  of  the  Revolution  came  to  an  end  April  19th, 
1783,  and  Mr.  Ogden  returned  to  Elizabethtown,  but  came  to 
Hardyston  to  live,  in  1786.  The  youth  of  his  daughter  Man- 
was  spent  at  Ogdensburg.  After  her  marriage,  she  made  long- 
visits  to  her  father's  house  with  her  children,  often  accompanying 
her  husband  on  his  business  trips.  After  her  husband's  death, 
she  came  to  Hamburg  to  reside  with  her  son,  who  lived  in  the  old 


EARLY    SETTLERS    AND    Til  KIR    FAMILIES.  65 

Lawrence  mansion.  She  united  with  the  North  Church  of 
Hardyston,  January  21st.  1827,  and  continued  her  membership  in 
it  until  her  death,  which  occurred  in  New  York  city,  May  5th, 
1852.  Of  earnest  piety,  she  was  a  most  useful  woman.  By  her 
conversation,  and  the  gifts  of  books  and  tracts,  she  led  many 
to  (  in-ist.  Beloved  by  all  who  knew  her,  few  could  come  within 
the  circle  of  her  influence,  without  recognizing  the  power  of 
religion  as  exemplified  in  her  life  and  character. 

Daniel  Haines  was  born  in  New  York  city,  January  6th, 
1801,  and  died  January  26th,  1877.  His  father  was  Elias  Haines, 
and  his  mother  was  Mary,  daughter  of  Robert  Ogden.  He  grad- 
uated at  Princeton,  in  1S20,  studied  law  with  Judge  Thomas  C. 
Ryerson,  and  was  made  Attorney,  in  1823,  Counsellor,  in  1S26, 
and  Sergeant-at-Law,  in  1S27,  being  one  of  the  latest  to  receive 
this  distinction.  He  settled  at  Hamburg,  in  1824,  and  soon 
gained  a  lucrative  practice.  He  married,  in  1827,  Ann  Maria 
Austin,  daughter  of  Alanson  Austin,  Esq.,  of  Warwick,  N.  Y. 
who  died  December  8th,  1844.  He  married  again,  in  1865, 
Mary  Townsend,  of  Newark,  N.  J.  He  had  belonged  to  the 
Federalist  party,  but  espousing  the  cause  of  General  Jackson, 
carried  for  him  the  solid  vote  of  his  township.  He  entered 
public  life  as  a  member  of  the  Council,  (now  called  Senate),  and 
in  1889  and  1840  took  an  active  part  in  what  was  known  as 
the  Broad  Seal  War.  He  opposed  the  proceedings  of  the 
Governor  and  the  majority  of  the  Legislature,  and  bore  the 
principal  part  of  the  discussion  against  them.  In  1843,  his  party 
having  a  majority  in  the  Legislature,  he  was  chosen  Governor 
and  Chancellor  for  the  usual  term  of  one  year,  but  continued  in 
office  for  a  number  of  months  longer  until  his  successor  was 
installed.  His  efforts  in  behalf  of  education,  and  a  new  Con- 
stitution have  left  their  impress  in  thetState  Normal  School,  first 
proposed  by  him  ;  and  the  present  Constitution  of  the  State,  which 
he  advocated,  and  as  a  Commissioner  assisted  in  making. 
His  decisions  gave  general  satisfaction,  and  are  recorded  in 
Green's  Chancery  Reports.  He  declined  the  nomination  under 
the  new  Constitution,  because  it  would  violate  its  spirit,  as 
he  was  Governor  when  it  was  adopted,  and  one  of  its  provisions 


6ti  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

was  that  thereafter  no  Governor  should  be  re-elected  to  a 
successive  term.  In  1847  he  was  re-nominated  and  elected; 
by  the  weight  of  his  character  re-instating  his  party.  In  1852, 
he  was  placed  upon  the  Bench  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  served 
for  two  successive  terms  of  seven  years  each.  His  circuit 
included  Newark  and  Elizabeth.  Later  in  life  he  was  placed  by 
both  parties  upon  judicial  commissions  relative  to  State  bound- 
aries and  the  municipal  affairs  of  Jersey  City  and  Paterson,  his 
great  probity,  judicial  fairness  and  ability  gave  entire  satis- 
faction. He  was  thoroughly  in  sympathy  with  the  Union  cause. 
One  son,  Captain  Thomas  R.  Haines,  laid  down  his  life  on  his 
country's  altar.  The  other  son  became  Chaplain  and  served 
three  years.  A  son-in-law,  Major  Frank  H.  Tucker,  also  served 
in  the  army.  Judge  Haines  was  otherwise  very  active,  both 
in  securing  victory  while  the  war  continued,  and  after  it  was  over 
in  healing  the  wounds  it  had  caused. 

He  became  a  member  of  the  North  Hardyston  Church  in 
1831  ;  was  made  an  Elder  in  1837,  and  was  often  sent  by  the 
Rockaway  Presbytery  to  represent  it  in  the  New  School  General 
Assembly.  He  was  one  of  the  committee  for  the  re-union 
of  the  two  branches  of  the  church,  and  several  times,  at 
critical  junctures,  saved  that  project  from  defeat.  He  was  con- 
nected with  the  establishment  of  the  Asylum  at  Trenton  ;  the 
Home  for  Disabled  Soldiers  at  Newark ;  the  Reform  School  for 
Juvenile  Delinquents;  the  National  Prison  Reform  Congress  at 
Cincinnati,  and  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  organize  an  Inter- 
national Congress  on  Discipline  and  Reform,  which  met  in 
London.  He  was  made  Vice-President,  and  presided  over  some 
of  its  sessions  in  Middle  Temple  Hall.  While  abroad  he 
received  marked  attention  from  English  Judges,  and  other  distin- 
guished men,  of   different  countries. 

He  was  the  oldest  Trustee  of  Princeton  College  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  having  been  first  appointed  in  1844,  resigned 
when  made  Governor  in  1817,  and  re-chosen  in  1850.  One 
of   the   foremost   of  New  Jersey  Jurists   wrote  as  follows : 

"  What  a  beautiful  exemplification  of  the  Christian  gentle- 
man he  was  ! 


EARLY    SETTLERS    AND   THEIR    FAMILIES.  67 

u  As  a  Judge  he  was  unequalled  in  personal  influence.  His 
reputation  for  purity  and  integrity  was  such  that  juries  followed 
his  opinion  whenever  they  could  discern  them.  Had  it  not  been 
that  his  common  sense  made  him  almost  always  right,  his  very 
excellence  of   character  might  have  worked  occasional  wrong." 

"The  consolation  of  his  family  can  be  partially  found  in  the 
sense  of  the  estimate  which  all  good  people  have  of  the  lifetime 
and  beauty  of  his  character.'" 

His  remains  were  borne  to  their  last  resting  place  by  a  large 
concourse  of  friends.  Impressive  addresses  were  delivered 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Stearns  and  Dr.  Craven  of  Newark,  giving  very 
just  tributes  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased.  Rev.  Dr.  Fair- 
child,  venerable  in  age  and  appearance,  once  Judge  Haines' 
pastor  at  Hamburg,  closed  the  services.  Governor  Bedle  issued 
an  order  that  the  National  flags  on  the  State  buildings  should  be 
displayed  at  half-mast,  and  at  2  o'clock  on  Tuesday  the  day  of  the 
funeral  a  salute  be  fired  at  Trenton. 

Dr.  Irseneus  Prime  spoke  of  him  in  the  New  York  Observer  : 

"  It  has  been  our  pleasure  to  enjoy  the  personal  acquaintance 
of  Gov.  Haines  for  a  long  term  of  years,  and  to  be  often  associa- 
ted with  him  in  philanthropic  labors.  Of  a  remarkably  quiet, 
gentle  and  devout  spirit,  modest  and  unobtrusive  always,  yet  firm, 
patient  and  persistent  in  well-doing,  he  was  upright  and  efficient 
in  every  public  and  private  relation.  A  man  of  God,  hating 
covetousness,  a  magistrate  above  reproach  or  suspicion,  an  Elder 
ruling  well  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  he  adorned  every  station 
to  which  he  was  called,  and  by  his  just,  generous  and  kindly  man- 
ner, won  the  regard  and  respect  of  all  who  came  into  contact  with 
him.  He  had  recently  been  appointed  a  delegate  to  the  Presby- 
terian Alliance  to  meet  in  Edinburg,  Scotland,  next  July,  but  he 
declined  on  account  of  the  state  of  his  health.  He  had  filled  the 
measure  of  his  days  with  usefulness  and  honor,  but  we  need  such 
men  more  and  more  as  their  places  are  made  vacant." 
The  Presbyterian  Encyclopaedia  says  of  him  : 
•'  Useful  and  honored  as  Judge  Haines  was  in  political  life, 
lie  was  even  more  useful  and  greatly  beloved  as  a  pious  man.  He 
was  a  man  of  prayer  and  constant  study  of  the  Divine  word.  He 
was  very  conscientious  in  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  and  had 
an  ardent  desire  for  the  conversion  of  souls.  During  all  the  years 
of  his  public  life  he  continued  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  prayer 
meeting.     When  he  was  Governor,  a  physician  of  Trenton    re- 


08  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

marked  :  '  I  have  seen  a  strange  sight  to-day — the  Governor  of 
this  State  go  into  the  room  of  a  man,  a  stranger,  and  kneeling  at 
his  bedside  pray  for  his  salvation.'     . 

;'  Governor  Haines  had  great  influence  in  private  conversa- 
tion, and  thereby  led  many  to  the  Saviour,  some  of  them  mem- 
bers of  the  Bar  of  New  Jersey.  <  )n  his  last  Sabbath  afternoon  he 
made  a  list  of  families  and  persons  to  be  prayed  for  and  visited 
that  week.  He  was  a  Sabbath  School  Superintendent  for  nearly 
half  a  century,  and  generally  taught  a  Bible  class.  For  forty 
years  he  made  the  offer  of  a  copy  of  the  Bible,  or  of  some  stand- 
ard religious  work,  to  every  scholar  committing  to  memory  the 
Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism.  About  the  year  1837  he  was  en- 
gaged in  a  Sunday  School  work  near  his  home,  where,  upon  a 
mountain,  men,  women  and  children  from  the  charcoal  burners 
were  gathered  in  a  log  house  for  religious  instruction.  The  last 
Sabbath  of  his  life  he  superintended  his  Sabbath  School,  taught 
his  class  and  attended  public  services  twice.  He  proposed  to  con- 
duct a  meeting  in  a  private  house  on  the  last  evening  of  his  life, 
but  before  the  hour  came  he  was  stricken  with  death.  Thus  he 
brought  forth  fruit  in  old  age,  passing  away  in  the  still,  calm 
beautv  bv  which  his  life  had  been  adorned." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

TIME    OF    THE    REVOLUTION. 

The  name  Wattkill  was  given  to  our  river  by  the  Dutch  set- 
tlers at  its  mouth,  near  Esopus,or  Kingston,  who  called  it  after  the 
River  Waal,  in  Holland,  from  which  they  had  come.  The  Indians 
named  the  part  above  the  Drowned  Lands  Tivisch-saiv-hin  Creek. 
It  is  so  marked  on  the  map  drawn  from  the  survey  made  in  1769, 
by  order  of  the  commissioners  appointed  to  settle  the  partition 
line  between  the  Provinces  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  This 
is  probably  the  same  name  as  JVis-au-Jcin,  said  to  mean  River  of 
Grapes. 

The  earliest  bridge  across  the  upper  Wallkill,  at  Hamburg, 
was  in  the  bend  at  the  mouth  of  the  little  brook  from  the  cream- 
ery and  over  the  island.  The  foundation  of  this  bridge  may  still 
be  seen,  as  well  as  the  lines  of  road  approaching  it.  A  later 
bridge  was  erected  a  little  farther  up  the  stream,  just  above  the 
big  rock  on  the  Haines  farm.  The  stones  of  the  abutments  of 
this  bridge  still  remain,  as  well  as  some  of  the  timbers  which 
formed  the  pier  under  the  water.  From  the  bridge  the  road  led 
past  the  poplar  tree  which  marks  the  site  of  one  of  the  three  houses 
which  stood  in  the  meadow.  The  last  house  was  standing  as  late 
as  1822,  and  in  one  of  the  three  lived  John  Elridge,  the  grand- 
father of  Peter  Yatman,  and  in  another,  Jonathan  Sharp,  the 
great-grandfather  of  Doctor  Jackson  B.  Pellet.  The  road  passed 
the  old  houses,  and  by  the  Shee  and  Lawrence  store  and  dwellings. 

From  the  bridge  in  the  opposite  direction  a  road  went  up  the 
hill  to  Sharp's  store,  where  it  crooked  to  pass  in  front  of  the  stone 
mill  location,  where  two  or  three  houses  once  stood  ;  and  thence  by 
the  Odell  house  on  to  Ford's,  and  to  the  Windfield  log  house  at 
the  foot  of  the  mountain. 


70  HARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

The  State  road  from  Newburg  led  past  the  Indian  camp  to 
the  Walling  house,  turned  by  the  Indian  burying  ground,  and 
passing  down  the  hill  crossed  the  kill  by  the  bridge.  A  more 
direct  road  was  made,  about  1795,  from  the  Walling  house  to  the 
one  coming  up  from  the  kill  to  Sharp's  store,  and  it  ran  through 
the  creamery  garden,  before  the  house  itself  was  built 

The  Indian  Burying  Ground  covered  the  flat  formerly  in  the 
rear  of  the  Margerum  house  and  the  store  of  Robert  A.  Linn. 
Here  for  years  stone  implements  were  dug  up  and  numerous  skel- 
etons. The  bones  of  an  Indian,  found  here  when  gravel  was 
taken  for  the  public  road,  were  in  the  pessession  of  Dr.  L'Hom- 
medien.  The  construction  of  the  Midland  Railroad  unearthed 
many  bones.  Among  them,  those  of  a  Sachem,  buried  with  beads 
and  a  silver  medal  and  silver  bell. 

The  site  of  the  Indian  Camp  is  marked  by  a  great  ring  of 
ashes  upon  which  the  wigwams  once  stood  with  their  fires.  The 
circle  of  ashes  extended  over  the  lots  of  the  late  Dr.  William  H. 
Linn  and  Peter  Yatman.  It  is  less  distinct  than  in  former  years 
from  the  cultivation  and  frequent  plowing  of  the  ground.  The 
attraction  for  the  camp  was  the  fine  spring  of  water  in  the  rear 
of  the  lots.  Evidence  of  the  Indian  occupation  was  once  abun- 
dant in  the  large  number  of  worked  flints  and  the  charred  and 
broken  bones  of  animals  found  in  the  ash  heaps.  The  bones 
seemed  to  indicate  a  comparatively  recent  occupation. 

Along  the  road,  in  the  same  field  with  the  Indian  burying 
ground,  stood  the  Barracks  or  block-house,  which  was  garrisoned 
at  times  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  the  place  of 
rendezvous ,  for  the  Second  Regiment  of  Sussex  Militia.  The 
garrison  was  necessary  to  keep  in  awe  the  Tory  sympathizers  with 
the  British,  and  to  prevent  the  marauding  parties  of  freebooters 
from  making  their  incursions. 

The  Second  Regiment  of  Sussex  Militia  was  mainly  raised  in 
Ilardyston,  and  as  most  of  the  officers  and  men  were  from  this 
vicinity  it  is  deserving  of  especial  mention.  The  following  is  the 
roster  of  its  Field  and  Staff*  officers  : 

Ephraim  Martin,  Colonel,  lived  at  Sparta, 

John  Seward,  Captain,  Lt.-Colonel,  Colonel,  at  Snufftown, 


REVOLUTIONARY    TIMES.  71 

Daniel  Harker,  Lt.-Colonel,  at  Upper  Hamburg, 

James  Broderick,  Captain,  First  Major,  near  Sparta, 

Samuel  Meeker,  Captain,  Second  Major,  near  Ogdensburg, 

Joseph  Linn,  Adjutant,  near  Monroe  Corners. 

Isaac  Hull,  Quarter  Master. 

Henry  Johnson,  Quarter  Master. 

Cornelius  Baldwin,  Surgeon. 

At  one  time  when  the  headquarters  of  the  American  army 
were  transferred  from  Morristown  to  Newburg,  a  detachment  of 
the  Continental  army  encamped  on  the  meadows  of  the  Haines 
and  Lawrence  farms.  Tradition  says  that  they  remained  here 
thoughout  one  entire  fall. 

Burgoyne's  army  surrendered  at  Saratoga  in  October,  1777. 
By  the  terms  of  the  surrender,  the  prisoners  were  to  be  paroled 
and  sent  home  by  way  of  Boston.  When  they  had  gone  as  far  as 
Boston,  General  Howe  exhibited  considerable  duplicity.  General 
Burgoyne  hesitated  to  give  the  list  of  the  officers  and  men  re- 
quired, Congress  became  alarmed,  and  a  resolution  was  passed  that 
the  prisoners  should  not  be  released  until  the  British  government 
had  given  formal  agreement  to  the  terms  of  capitulation.  Bur- 
goyne himself  was  permitted  to  return  to  England  on  parole,  but 
his  officers  with  their  army  were  marched  back  to  the  interior  of 
the  country,  as  far  as  Pennsylvania,  and  some  went  to  Virginia. 
On  this  march  they  passed  through  here  under  guard.  The  pris- 
oners had  been  as  well  cared  for  as  circumstances  allowed,  but 
their  uniforms  were  ragged  and  they  presented  a  very  shabby  ap- 
pearance. The  Hessians  were  still  more  dejected  looking.  They 
were  less  cleanly  than  the  English  regulars,  and  seemed  without 
ambition  or  hope.  Some  had  wives  and  young  children  with 
them,  and  they  formed  a  miserable  and  motley  crew.  They  were 
very  willing  to  abandon  the  profession  of  arms  and  settle  in  any 
place  where  they  might  live  in  quiet. 

Colonel  John  Seward,  long  the  commander  of  the  Second 
Regiment  of  Sussex  Militia,  lived  near  Snufftown  on  what  is  now 
the  Margerum  property.  Col.  Seward's  father,  Obadiah,  came 
from  Wales  and  settled  in  Somerset  county,  where  his  son  was 
born  at  Lamington,  the  23d  of  May,  1730.  John  married  Mary 
Swezy,  in  1751.  They  moved  to  Hardyston  and  his  name  appears 


72  HARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

in  1767  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Chosen  Freeholders.  A 
soldier  of  the  Revolution,  he  was  at  first  a  private  of  Captain 
M' Mi  res'  Company  in  the  First  Battalion,  first  establishment  of 
Jersey  Line.  lie  was  then  Captain  of  Second  Regiment,  Sussex 
troops,  promoted  Lieutenant-Colonel  February  28th,  1777,  and 
later  to  be  Colonel  of  the  same  regiment,  he  did  faithful  service 
in  resisting  the  Tories,  driving  off  the  marauding  bands  who 'for 
a  time  infested  Snufftown  Mountain  and  capturing  some  of  them. 
His  house  was  barricaded  for  defence.  The  sum  of  £50  was 
offered  by  the  British  for  his  head ;  and  he  once  shot  a  British 
spy  who  was  lurking  with  apparent  evil  intent  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  his  house.  One  afternoon  in  the  woods  he  heard  the  click 
of  a  flint  lock,  and  looked  up  to  see  an  Indian  who  had  drawn  his 
rifle  upon  him,  but  whose  weapon  failed  to  go  off.  He  drew  his 
own  rifle  in  an  instant  and  called  upon  the  Indian  to  surrender 
The  savage  vainly  sought  to  dodge  among  the  trees,  but  was  soon 
made  to  yield  and  brought  in  as  a  prisoner. 

Colonel  Seward's  son,  Doctor  Samuel  Swezy  Seward,  was 
born  in  the  house  upon  the  mountain,  practiced  medicine  in  Har- 
dyston  and  Vernon,  and  afterwards  removed  to  Florida,  Orange 
Co.,  X.  Y.,  where  his  distinguished  son,  AVilliam  Henry  Seward, 
was  born  in  1801.  Doctor  Seward  was  at  the  time  of  his  death 
the  wealthiest  man  in  Orange  county.  His  son,  George  Wash- 
ington Seward,  still  survives  at  an  advanced  age. 

(  \yptain  Joseph  Harker  had  a  farm  and  house  near  where 
Samuel  Wilson  now  lives.  The  foundation  of  the  house  is  still  to 
be  seen  near  the  Wallkill,  by  which  the  road  formerly  ran.  He 
recruited  his  company  in  this  vicinity  and  belonged  to  the  Second 
Sussex  Regiment.  With  a  portion  of  his  men  he  joined  the 
Goshen  troops  who  were  going  to  the  Minisink  region,  and  partic- 
ipated in  the  battle  of  July  22d,  1779.  He  was  wounded  and 
some  of  his  men  were  killed.  When  he  went  away  from  home 
with  his  company,  Xathaniel  Martin,  of  Wantage,  who  was  then 
quite  a  lad,  staid  at  his  house  to  protect  his  family. 

Reuben  Mosier  came  to  this  vicinity  when  a  boy,  having,  it 
is  said,  escaped  with  his  mother  from  an  Indian  massacre  in  which 
several  of  his  family  were  slain.     He  had  just  grown  to  manhood 


REVOLUTIONARY   TIMES.  (3 

when  the  war  of  the  Revolution  broke  out,  and  he  joined  Captain 
Joseph  Barker's  Co.  He  lived  in  Red  Cedar  Hollow  in  a  log 
house,  near  the  Widow  Mitten's.  His  descendants  by  his  daugh- 
ters are  still  living  in  Hardy ston. 

Lieut.-Coi.onel  Daniel  Harker,  of  the  Second  Sussex  Reg-i- 

'  CD 

ment,  was  supposed  to  have  owned  and  lived  upon  the  farm  in 
Upper  Hamburg,  which  was  known  as  the  Harker  farm,  but  in 
later  years  belonged  to  Peter  Fountain.  After  the  Revolution  he 
removed  with  his  brother,  Capt.  Harker,  to  Stillwater,  where  their 
descendants  still  live. 

Henry  Winfield  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  Army 
and  rose  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant.  He  was  among  the  few  of  a 
detachment  who  were  surrounded  by  the  British  during  the 
retreat  after  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  and  escaped  by  swimming 
a  mill  pond  that  was  situated  about  the  centre  of  Williamsburg  as 
it  now  stands.  He  was  also  engaged  in  a  number  of  battles  along 
the  Hudson,  and  was  on  duty  at  West  Point  for  some  time.  He 
is  thought  to  have  been  with  General  Wayne  at  the  capture  of 
West  Point,  and  his  commission  as  Lieutenant  is  dated  from  that 
time.  After  the  war,  he  returned  and  married  Mary  Rodgers 
and  raised  a  family  of  children.  He  died  in  1840  at  the  age  of  87 
years,  in  the  house  which  he  built,  now  occupied  by  his  great- 
grandson,  Henry  Winfield  Couplin. 

Henry  Winfield's  father  was  one  of  four  brothers  who  came 
here  from  Germany,  and  he  built  his  house,  which  was  uf  logs, 
near  the  trout  pond  on  the  present  Couplin  farm. 

Samuel  Edsall  came  from  Reading,  Berkshire  Co.,  England, 
in  the  ship  Tryall,  in  1648,  landed  in  Boston,  and  came  to  New 
Amsterdam  previous  to  1655  when  he  married  his  first  wife  there. 
His  knowledge  of  the  Indian  tongues  made  him  highly  esteemed 
as  an  interpreter  and  negotiator  between  the  Indians  and  the 
Dutch,  and  the  early  English  settlers  in  New  Jersey.  He  died 
soon  after  1701. 

His  youngest  son,  Richard,  by  his  third  wife,  Ruth  Wood- 
hull,  was  born  about  1682.  A  surveyor,  he  resided  in  Newtown, 
L.  I.,  then  at  Hackensack,  N.  J.,  and  finally  in  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y. 
Richard's  third  wife  was  Hillegonde  DeKey,  of  New  York,  by 


74  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

whom  be  had  live  sons  and  one  daughter.  Among  these  were 
Jacobus  and  Richard  2d. 

Jacobus  (Dutch  for  James)  born  1724,  baptized  1725,  in 
Hackensack  D.  R.  Church,  was  Captain  in  the  Second  Regiment 
N.  J.  troops.  His  wife  was  Charlotte,  a  daughter  of  Colonel 
Joseph  Barton,  of  Sussex  Co.  She  had  a  brother,  Benjamin  Bar- 
ton, who  was  arrested  by  General  Sullivan,  in  August,  1777, 
charged  with  having  received  the  appointment  of  Captain  in  the 
British  Army.  His  Edsall  relatives  became  surety  for  his  good 
behavior,  but  he  broke  his  parole  and  went  over  to  the  enemy. 
His  family  was  sent  after  him  to  Staten  Island  within  the  British 
lines.  Jacobus  had  four  sons,  Richard,  Jacobus  2d,  Benjamin  and 
Joseph. 

His  son,  Richard  2d,  born  1750,  was  also  a  Captain  in  the 
Second  Sussex  Regiment  N.  J.  troops,  and  Lieutenant  in  the  Jer- 
sey line  of  the  Continental  Army.  Father  and  son  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Brandywine  and  Monmouth  and  other  conflicts  of 
the  Revolution.  Richard  was  a  land  surveyor  and  lived  at 
English  Neighborhood,  Bergen  Co.,  when  the  war  began.  He 
married  his  first  wife  Polly,  eldest  daughter  of  Colonel  John  Sew- 
ard, of  Snufftown,  in  1771.  She  died  soon  after  and  was  buried 
at  Warwick,  N.  Y.  His  second  wife  was  Jemima  Seely,  born 
January  28th,  1702,  and  died  January  1st,  1843.  He  lived  in 
Vernon,  became  entirely  Wind,  and  died  May  10th,  1S23. 

Joseph,  son  of  Richard  2d,  born  in  Vernon  township  July 
12th,  17S3,  was  Quarter-master  in  the  army  during  the  war  of 
1812,  and  a  member  of  the  Legislature  in  1825.  He  married 
Sarah  DeKay,  and  died  in  Vernon  April  5th,  1833.  He  was  the 
father  of  Richard  E.  Edsall,  of  Hamburg. 

Jaxxibus  2d,  commonly  called  "  Coby,".  was  attached  to  Cap- 
tain Iluddy's  Co.  of  artillery,  State  troops.  His  brothers,  Benja- 
min and  Joseph,  were  privates  in  the  State  troops.  Coby  lived  at 
Rudeville  in  a  log  house  near  where  his  grandson,  Benjamin  II. 
Edsall,  now  lives.  He  received  a  pension  from  the  Government 
for  his  Revolutionary  services,  and  was  very  bitter  in  his  hatred  of 
the  British.  He  married  Mary  Simpson,  daughter  of  Henry 
Simpson  2d,  of  McAfee  Valley.     Their  children  were  :    Sally, 


REVOLUTIONARY    TIMES.  75 

wife  of  Benjamin  Hamilton  ;  James,  Henry,  Joseph  E.,  William, 
George,  Richard  and  Thomas.  Jacobus  was  born  1754,  and 
died  1S39.  His  wife,  Mary  Simpson,  was  born  1760,  and  died 
1851,  aged  91  years. 

The  surrender  of  Burgoyne's  Army,  at  Saratoga,  October 
1777,  had  diminished  the  British  forces  required  for  a  regular 
campaign  in  the  year  177S,  and  it  was  determined  to  employ  the 
Indians,  and  Tories,  in  carrying  on  a  war  of  devastation  on  the 
frontier.  The  destruction  of  the  Wyoming  settlements  was  re- 
solved upon,  because  so  many  of  the  men  of  this  region  had  early 
declared  against  British  tyranny,  and  large  numbers  of  them  had 
volunteered  in  the  Continental  Army.  The  beautiful  valley  was 
desolated.  The  dwellings  were  burned,  and  the  inhabitants  mur- 
dered, with  the  exception  of  those  few  who  were  carried  into 
hopeless  captivity.  The  cruelties  perpetrated  tilled  the  country 
with  horror.  Those  who  could,fled  for  their  lives,with  the  loss  of  all 
they  possessed.  Numbers  of  fugitives  came  to  Hardyston  with 
their  sad  story,  and  awakened  the  sympathy  and  compassion  of  our 
people.  One  of  them  was  Angustus  Hunt,  whose  son,  Rev.  liol- 
loway  W.  Hunt,  became  the  Presbyterian  pastor  here,  and 
continued  his  ministrations  for  seven  years.  Among  those  who 
fell  by  the  tomahawk  was  William  Marsh,  an  early  settler  in 
Hamburg,  and  the  first  minister  of  the  Baptist  congre- 
gation of  New  Town,  Hardys  Town  and  Frankford.  The 
leader  in  these  atrocites  was  Joseph  Brandt,  of  the  Mohawk  tribes, 
who  had  received  a  christian  education.  He  was  commissioned 
Colonel  by  the  British,  and  at  the  head  of  a  force  of  Indians  and 
disguised  Tories  carried  fire  and  bloodshed  through  our  western 
settlements.  In  the  summer  of  1779,  Brandt,  with  his  blood 
thirsty  forces,  broke  into  the  Minisink  region,  and  committed 
great  ravages,  killing  the  settlers  and  burning  their  homes. 

On  the  20th  of  July,  1779,  Colonel  Benjamin  Tustin,  of 
Goshen,  received,  by  express,  tidings  of  the  dreadful  occurrences, 
and  summoned  the  officers  of  his  regiment  to  rendezvous,  the  next 
day,  with  all  the  men  they  could  collect.  The  order  was  obeyed 
with  alacrity.  Major  Samuel  Meeker  and  Captain  Joseph  Harker, 
of  the  Jersey  Militia,  with  portions  of  their  commands  assembled 


76  HAKDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

with  them.  Col.  Tustin,  with  his  small  force,  decided  not  to  pur- 
sue the  enemy,  but  Major  Meeker  mounted  his  horse  and  shouted, 
"  Let  the  brave  men  follow  me,  cowards  may  stay  at  home.'' 
The  disaster  of  the  day  is  attributed  to  this  rashness  of  Major 
Meeker.  His  words  decided  the  question,  and  they  marched  in 
pursuit,  making  seventeen  miles  the  first  day,  and  camping  on  the 
same  ground  occupied  the  night  previous  by  the  enemy.  Colonel 
John  Hathorn.  associated  with  our  village  in  its  early  history,  here 
joined  with  a  small  additional  force,  and  as  the  ranking  officer, 
took  the  command.  He  approved  of  Colonel  Tustin's  caution,  and 
called  the  officers  together  to  hold  a  council.  Meeker  again  over- 
came all  prudence  by  his  bold  talk,  and  they  marched  forward 
until  they  fell  into  the  murderous  ambush  of  Brandt.  Our  men 
threw  themselves  into  a  square  as  soon  as  the  situation  was  per- 
ceived, and  fought  with  great  bravery,  against  overwhelming  num- 
bers advantageously  posted.  Of  the  eighty  men  engaged,  forty- 
four,  including  Colonel  Tustin,  were  slain.  Major  Meeker  and 
Captain  Harker  were  severely  wounded.  Of  the  fallen,  ten  or 
twelve  were  of  the  Jersey  troops.  Among  these  were  Captain 
Stephen  Mead,  David  Talmage,  Nathan  Wade  and  Corporal 
Eliakim  Boss,  of  Hardy ston.  Moses  DeWitt,  of  Wantage, 
behaved  with  great  bravery  and  was  among  the  wounded.  Lieu- 
tenant James  Patton,  of  Major  Meeker's  command,  received  his 
discharge,  June  8th,  17S0,  on  account  of  wounds,  probably  re- 
ceived in  this  battle.  Forty-three  years  after  the  massacre,  the 
bones  of  the  victims  were  gathered  and  buried  in  the  public, 
square  in  Goshen,  where  a  monument  is  inscribed  with  their 
names.  Colonel  Hathorn,  then  80  years  of  age,  laid  the  founda- 
tion stone,  July  22d,  1822. 

A  body  of  four  thousand  men,  styled  the  Western  Army, 
was  formed,  for  the  purpose  of  chastizing  he  Indian  Allies 
of  the  British.  To  the  command  of  this  force  General  John 
Sullivan  was  appointed  in  the  spring  of  17S9  ;  and  Colonel  Fran- 
cis Barber,  son-in-law  of  Robert  Ogden,  2d,  was  made  its  Adju- 
tant General.  General  Sullivan  broke  up  the  Indian  settlement 
along  the  Susquehannah,  and  drove  the  Indians  to  the  Niagara 
River.     In  a  battle  with  the  savages,  August  29th,  at  Conewawa 


REVOLUTIONARY   TIMES.  77 

N.  Y.,  Colonel  Barber  was  wounded  in  the  head,  but  not  so 
severely  as  to  prevent  his  appearing  soon  after,  in  active  service. 
This  gallant  officer  participated  in  most  of  the  great  battles  of  the 
Revolution,  and  was  with  Washington,  at  Newburg,  when  the  Gen- 
eral announced  to  his  officers  the  close  of  the  war.  A  few  hours 
later,  he  rode  near  a  tree  which  some  soldiers  were  felling 
and  was  instantly  killed.  He  was  a  man  of  finished  education, 
a  popular  officer,  and  a  christian  gentleman. 

Colonel  John  Rosencrantz,  of  Walpack,  with  a  regiment  of 
Sussex  Militia,  accompanied  General  Sullivan  upon  this  expedi- 
tion, and  was  advanced  to  the  command  of  a  brigade.  There  were 
four  hnndred  of  the  Jersey  Militia,  and  their  promptitude  was 
highly  commended.  At  this  time,  or  later  in  the  war,  Colonel 
Rosencrantz  received  a  wound  in  the  shoulder,  from  the  effects 
of  which  he  never  recovered.  It  broke  out  afresh,  causing 
his  death  three  years  after  the  war  ended. 

All  the  Indians  did  not  at  once  disappear,  but  returned  and 
made  incursions  into  our  territory.  An  Indian  band,  headed  by 
a  noted  Tory,  named  Daily,  committed  many  murders,  and  again 
spread  dismay  along  our  borders.  Once  more  our  Jersey  Militia 
were  sent  against  them.  The  troops  pursued  them  across  the 
Delaware  River,  and  succeeded  in  killing  Daily,  and  in  destroying 
and  dispersing  his  followers. 

During  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  people  of  this  county 
were  very  much  annoyed  by  the  surprises  of  a  Tory  band,  who 
mysteriously  disappeared  after  their  raids.  At  last  one  fellow 
was  found  in  a  house,  where  he  was  either  sick  or  disabled  by 
an  accident.  Threatened  with  hanging,  he  made  a  full  confession, 
and  gave  information  by  which  numbers  of  the  gang  were  taken. 
In  an  old  house,  two  chimneys  came  together,  with  a  single  top 
above  the  roof,  and  between  was  a  closet,  where  three  men 
were  secreted.  The  interior  of  an  old  haystack  had  afforded  a 
hiding  place,  and  here  several  were  taken.  At  first  there  was  no 
answer  to  the  demand  "  Come  out  and  surrender."  But  when  the 
leg  of  one  man  was  seized,  he  was  soon  dragged  out,  and  the  rest 
made  to  follow,  and  the  stack  was  shortly  ablaze.  The  pursuing 
party  came  to  a  large  house,  somewhere  on  the  Snufftown    Moun- 


78  HARDTSTON    MEMORIAL. 

tain,  where  the  owner  received  them  with  much  apparent  frank- 
ness, and  conducted  them  over  the  house,  telling  them  they  should 
see  everything  and  find  all  right  on  his  premises.  He  brought 
them  to  the  last  room,  saying,  "  My  wife  is  here  very  sick,  and 
you  need  not  disturb  her,  but  just  go  in  and  see  that  there  is 
nothing  there."  They  said  that  they  would  not  harm  the  sick, 
woman,  but  the  men  followed  their  captain  in.  Over  the  floor  in 
the  middle  of  the  room,  a  green  baize  cloth  had  been  tacked  clown, 
and  on  it  stood  the  bed  with  its  occupant.  They  lifted  the  bed- 
stead and  woman  aside,  took  up  the  cloth,  and  found  a  trap-door 
in  the  floor,  beneath  which  was  an  excavation  where  half  a  dozen 
fellows  were  hiding.  Other  ruffians  were  picked  up  elsewhere, 
and  the  Captain  started  for  Goshen  with  quite  a  company  of  pris- 
oners. When  night  came  on,  they  camped,  made  a  pen  of  logs  for 
the  culprits,  and  built  a  large  fire,  but  drank  so  freely  of  whisky 3 
from  a  big  keg  they  had  taken,  that  the  guards  all  went  to  sleep, 
and  their  prisoners  escaped. 

Claudius  Smith  was  a  recognized  leader  of  the  free-bo  oters 
who  ravaged  Orange  County  and  extended  their  depradations 
over  into  Sussex.  He  robbed  the  house  of  Robert  Ogden,  in  the 
winter  of  1778.  He  lived  near  the  site  of  the  present  town 
of  Monroe,  with  three  sons,  desperadoes  like  himself.  He 
was  a  terror  to  the  whole  region,  and  a  large  reward  was 
offered  for  his  apprehension.  He  eluded  pursuit  by  going  to 
Long  Island,  where  he  was  tracked  and  captured,  near  ( )yster 
Bay,  and  thence  taken  to  Goshen.  He  was  chained  to  the  jail 
floor  and  a  strong  guard  kept  over  him,  until  January  22d,  1779, 
when  he  was  hung,  with  two  others,  Gordon  and  De  la  Mar.  His 
son,  Dick,  committed  several  murders  afterwards,  in  revenge,  as 
he  said,  for  the  hanging  of  his  father.  Claudius  Smith  was  con- 
nected with  the  robber,  Bonnell  Moody,  who  had  a  place  of  retreat 
near  Newton,  and  after  the  war  escaped  to  England,  where  he 
published  an  exaggerated  story  of  his  career.  He  received  a  Lieu- 
tenant's commission  in  the  British  Army,  and  a  pension.  His 
brother  was  captured  and  hung. 

The  following  letter  was   written   in  behalf  of  Hugh   Max- 
well, who  was  in  New  Town  jail,  under   sentence   of   death,   and 


REVOLUTIONARY    TIMES.  79 

was  afterwards  executed. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  enclosed  to  his  excellency,  the  Governor, 
several  affidavits,  etc.,  in  favor  of  the  Criminal  Maxwell ;  whom  ] 
verily  believe  is  altogether  innocent  of  the  charge  against  him  ; 
and  I  cannot  but  think,  that  the  evidence  in  his  favor  is  quite  suf- 
ficient to  convince  every  candid,  unprejudiced  mind,  open  to  con- 
viction ;  and  you  may  be  assured  there  are  many  hundreds  of 
persons  in  the  county,  who  are  entirely  persuaded  he  is  not  guilty. 

I  doubt  not  you  will  do  all  in  your  power  to  preserve  the 
life  of  one  whom  I  think  is  innocent.  I  am  in  no  wa}*s  partial 
towards  him ;  and  if  after  all,  the  man  is  executed,  I  shall  have 
the  satisfaction  to  reflect  I  have  done  my  duty,  and  that  his  blood 
will  not  be  upon  me. 

1  am,  dear  sir,  your  friend  and  very  humble  servant, 

Ttzal  Ogden. 

Newtown,  Sept.  7th,  1780. 

To  the  Hon.  Robert  Ogden,  Esq.,  at  Sparta. 

Favored  by  Mr.  Broderick 

Ephraim  Woodruff  belonged  to  Colonel  Oliver  Spencer's 
regiment  of  the  Continental  Army.  He  was  present  and  partici- 
pated in  a  number  of  the  great  battles  of  the  Revolutionary  war  . 
As  years  increased  upon  him  he  delighted  to  narrate  the  stirring- 
incidents  of  his  military  life.  lie  taught  the  school  at  Ogden sburg 
in  a  log  house,  which  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  school  house, 
and  was  donated  for  the  purpose  by  Robert  Ogden,  Jr. 

In  this  school  house  religious  services  were  sometimes  held, 
and  a  weekly  prayer  meeting  maintained.  Mr.  Woodruff's  log 
house  stood  beside  the  school  house,  and  was  very  much  of  the 
same  pattern. 

William  Johnson  2d  and  Cornelius  Devore  were  soldiers 
of  the  Revolution  and  pensioners.  Their  certificates  were  signed 
by  John  C.  Calhonn,  Secretary  of  War  in  1822. 

Major  Jonathan  McPeake  was  a  soldier  in  the  Continental 
Army  and  settled  in  Hardyston  after  the  war.  His  son  Jona- 
than, was  born  in  1800.  His  wife  was  Sophia  Maines,  daughter 
of  Peter  Mains,  of  Sparta,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  Olive  Bas- 
sett. 

Olive  Bassett,  wife  of  Peter  Mains,  died  at  an  advanced  age 
about  the  year  1850.  Their  log  house  stood  two  miles  from  Sparta 
on  the  Newton  road.     Thev  were  living  there  when  the  Ameri- 


80  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

can  Army  passed  through,  on  its  way  to  the  Delaware  River,  as 
she  supposed.  It  was  in  the  winter  time,  with  snow  upon  the 
ground.  Many  of  the  soldiers  had  no  shoes,  and  blood  from  their 
frozen  feet  marked  the  snow.  Some  of  them  had  their  feet  bound 
up  with  rags,  and  begged  from  her  all  the  old  clothes  she  had  to 
give  them.  Her  oven  stood  by  itself  outside,  and  she  had  in  it  a 
large  baking  of  bread,  but  the  soldiers  took  it  all. 

Simon  Wade  was  a  member  of  the  Second  Sussex  Regiment, 
and  during  the  Revolutionary  War  served  in  a  powder  manufac- 
tory. His  family  early  settled  in  Connecticut.  His  brother  Na- 
than Wade,  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Minisink.  He  was  a  car- 
penter by  trade,  and  first  came  to  Hardyston  in  the  employ  of 
Robert  Ogden,  Sr.  He  married  Abigail  Beardslee,  of  Pough- 
keepsie,  1ST.  Y.,  purchased  his  farm  from  Robert  Ogden,  Sr.,  and 
erected  the  house  and  buildings  now  standing.  He  died  Septem- 
ber 21st,  1817,  aged  sixty -eight  years. 

Charles  Wade,  son  of  Simon,  was  born  at  the  homestead, 
December  4th.  1796.  His  wife  was  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of 
Elder  Samuel  Tuttle.  Mr.  Wade  died  November  22d,  1S69. 
He  was  highly  esteemed  for  his  integrity  of  character  and  upright- 
ness in  business.  He  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  North 
Church  and  much  interested  in  all  that  pertained  to  its  welfare. 


CHAPTER  V. 

IRON  MANUFACTURE. 

Five  forges,  worked  at  different  times,  stood  at  the  "Head 
of  the  Wallkill,"  near  the  present  village  of  Sparta. 

The  Ogden  forge  was  a  mile  from  Ogdensbnrg,  and  a  mile 
and  half  above  Franklin  Furnace.  The  time  of  its  erection  was 
very  early.  At  the  beginning  of  this  century,  and  until  his  death 
in  1805,  it  was  run  by  Major  Elias  Ogden,  who  brought  most  of 
his  ore  from  the  Ogden  Mine  on  the  top  of  the  mountain. 

Previous  to  the  Revolutionary  War,  ore  from  the  Ogden 
Mine  was  transported  on  pack  horses  to  the  forges  in  Morris 
County.  Dr.  Fowler's  "  New  Forge  "  was  put  up  on  the  bank 
of  the  Wallkill  in  the  rear  of  the  Catholic  Church. 

An  ancient  forge  stood  near  the  site  of  the  old  Franklin 
furnace,  and  was  operated  as  early  as  1765,  when  Michael 
Rorick  came  from  Bergen  in  the  employ  of  the  men  who 
ran  it.  The  leading  man  was  William  A.  Potts,  reported 
to  have  been  so  wealthy,  that  if  all  his  money  had  been 
turned  into  silver  dollars,  no  four-horse  team  could  have 
drawn  them.  Upon  the  mountain  are  lands  still  called  after 
Potts,  the  former  owner.  An  old  deed  calls  for  a  "  marked 
tree  at  the  corner  of  the  Potts  mountain  tract,  now  of  the 
Franklin  Manufacturing  Company."  The  birch-flat  is  spoken 
of  as  having  belonged  to  Potts.  John  Potts  had  a  mountain 
survey  made  as  late  as  1788,  and  recorded  in  the  Clerk's  Office  in 
1792.  At  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities,  1776,  the  proprietors  of 
the  forge  withdrew  to  New  York,  being  Englishmen  and  sympa- 
thizing with  the  British.  The  works  were  then  unused  for  years. 
John  Odell  Ford,  who  lived  at  Stockholm,  repaired  and  enlarged 


82  IIAEDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

them,  and  expended  much  money  in  the  endeavor  to  make  iron 
from  Franklinite  ore.  He  was  very  persistent,  but  could  not  keep 
up  the  required  heat,  and  salamander  after  salamander  resulted. 
Dr.  Fowler  was  asssociated  with  him  for  a  time,  and  upon  Mr. 
Ford's  failure  bought  out  his  interest,  took  the  works,  and  finally 
came  into  possession  of  all  the  mineral  lands.  These  were  not 
highly  appreciated  at  that  time,  and  so  little  value  was  set  upon 
Mine  Hill,  which  contains  such  a  wealth  of  zinc  and  iron,  that 
even  Dr.  Fowler  never  took  pains  to  perfect  his  title  to  it,  and  it 
was  done  by  his  heirs  some  time  after  his  death.  He  ran  this  and 
his  other  forges  successfully,  improving  upon  the  methods  of  smelt- 
ing hitherto  used.  In  a  letter  he  once  expressed  his  opinion  that 
the  reduction  of  Franklinite  ore  required  a  greater  heat  than 
could  be  produced  by  charcoal,  and  furnaces  must  be  perfected  for 
the  use  of  anthracite  coal. 

There  were  zinc  works  near  the  Franklin  grist  mill  where  the 
old  fulling  mill  house  was  supplied  with  a  chimney  and  re- 
arranged for  use.  Mr.  Ballon,  a  man  of  some  scientific  attainments* 
was  for  a  long  time  employed  in  the  endeavor  to  work  the  zinc. 
By  his  fires  most  of  the  zinc  was  evaporized  and  escaped  through 
the  chimney.  lie  also  attempted  to  separate  the  iron  from  the 
zinc  by  mechanical  operation,  reducing  the  ore  to  powder  and 
taking  out  the  iron  particles  by  a  series  of  magnets^  ranged  upon 
a  wheel.  His  methods  were  not  successful  enough  to  warrant ' 
their  long  employment.  His  experience  however  was  valuable  to 
others,  and  at  a  later  time  a  great  zinc  house  was  erected,  with  a 
series  of  bags,  within  which  the  zinc  vapor  was  held  until  it  was 
deposited  in  a  white  or  blue  powder.  This  powder  mixed  with 
oils  made  a  valuable  paint.  The  zinc  paint  of  commerce  is  little 
more  than  the  same  article,  improved  in  its  process  of  manufac- 
ture. 

The  Franklin  Manufacturing  Company  erected  the  charcoal 
blast  furnace.  Oliver  Ames  and  Oakes  Ames,  of  Massachusetts) 
were  the  principal  onwers,  and  William  L.  Ames  was  their  super- 
intendent. They  introduced  the  casting  of  stoves  and  rolling  of 
sheet  iron.  For  the  latter  purpose  their  quality  of  iron  was  well 
adapted,  and  the  stoves  and  pipe  made  by  them  were  far  more  last- 


IKON    MANUFACTURE.  83 

ing  than  those  produced  in  later  years. 

The  Company  had  several  re-organizations.  A  process  was 
thought  to  have  been  discovered  which  would  make  both  iron  and 
zinc  from  Franklinite  mineral  at  the  same  time.  A  new  and 
larger  blast  furnace  was  put  up  a  little  farther  from  the  kill,  at  a 
cost  of  $100,000,  with  zinc  works  in  connection.  But  the  process 
failed  to  meet  the  sanguine  expectations  of  its  inventors.  Charles 
C.  Alger  brought  suit  against  this  Company,  and  against  Joseph 
E.  Edsall.  and  recovered  a  small  amount  of  damages  for  infringe- 
ment upon  his  patent  for  hot  blast  chimneys  in  furnaces. 

The  Boston  Franklinite  Company  was  organized  by  gentle- 
men mostly  from  Massachusetts,  and  John  H.  Brown,  who  had 
been  long  associated  with  the  Ames  brothers,  was  their  superin- 
tendent. In  1867,  William  E.  Dodge,  Moses  Taylor,  John  I. 
Blair,  the  Scrantons  and  others,  stockholders  of  the  Lackawanna 
Iron  and  Coal  Company,  of  Scranton,  Pa.,  purchased  the  entire  in- 
terest, and  under  a  new  charter  became,  in  1872,  the  Franklin 
Iron  Company.  By  purchase  this  Company-  own  large  tracts  of 
land,  estimated  at  15,000  acres,  embracing  farm  and  wood  lands, 
and  including  many  valuable  ore  mines.  A  portion  of  these 
tracts  lie  in  Passaic  County.  The  present  large  furnace  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  half  a  million  of  dollars,  and  completed  in  1873. 
With  few  interruptions  it  has  been  running  ever  since,  producing 
large  quantities  of  pig  iron  which  is  sent  to  Scranton  and  trans- 
formed into  Bessimer  steel.  The  company  carried  on  a  long  liti- 
gation with  the  New  Jersey  Zinc  Company,  the  contest  ending 
finally  in  their  favor.  A  compromise  has  been  effected,  by  which 
the  Franklin  Iron  Company  became  possessed  of  the  rights  of  the 
New  Jersey  Zinc  Company,  and  now  engages  in  zinc  mining. 
The  Sussex  Branch  Railroad  was  extended  from  Newton  to 
McAfee  Valley  by  this  company,  mainly  for  their  own  conven- 
ience in  mining  and  making  iron. 

Isaac  Sharp,  of  Piles,  in  the  county  of  Salem,  and  Western 
division  of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  made  his  will  March  22d, 
1770.  By  this  he  constituted  his  widow  Elizabeth  executrix,  and 
his  son  Joseph  executor.  On  the  20th  of  March,  1775,  the  widow 
Elizabeth,  and  Joseph  and  his  wife  Grace,  conveyed  182  acres  of 


S4  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

the  Pepo-Cotten  lands  to  Ezekiel  Dennis,  of  Sussex,  who  was  the 
progenitor  of  our  Dennis  families. 

This  Joseph  was  Joseph,  Senior,  who  married  the  widow 
Grace  Bassett,  a  Quakeress,  who  always  wore  the  Quaker  dress. 
They  had  quite  a  number  of  sons.  She  had  money  in  her  own 
right,  and  was  a  woman  of  much  refinement  and  benevolence. 

Joseph,  Senior,  came  to  Hamburg  before  the  Revolutionary 
war,  and  took  possession  of  the  lands  to  which  his  father  Isaac  had 
proprietery  claims.  These  lands  extended  along  the  Wallkill  from 
the  State  line,  and,  with  a  few  breaks,  to  the  Ogden  tract  above 
Franklin  Furnace  and  to  Penn's  line,  with  extensive  mountain 
tracts.  He  built  the  forge  or  furnace  near  the  Fountain  bridge, 
and  named  it  the  Sharpsboro  Iron  Works.  The  manufacture  of 
iron  under  the  restrictions  imposed  by  the  British  Government  was 
not  remunerative,  and  under  financial  embarrassment  he  returned 
to  Salem. 

The  works  abandoned  by  Sharp  fell  into  the  hands  of 
Stephen  Ford,  Senior,  who  lived  in  the  house,  near  the  Upper 
Hamburg  bridge,  which  was  afterwards  enlarged  by  his  son  David. 
He  was  a  native  of  England  and  sympathized  with  the  English 
during  the  war  of  Independence.  It  is  said  that  he  made  iron 
for  the  use  of  the  British  Army  and  cast  cannon  balls  for  them. 
His  men  often  performed  their  work  at  night,  and  the  children 
and  females  of  the  family  carried  food  for  the  workmen  from  the 
house  to  the  forge  after  dark.  He  received  considerable  sums  of 
English  gold  wlnbh  he  secreted  in  small  bags  let  down  in  the  par- 
tition walls  between  the  plastering.  He  had  sheet  iron  shutters 
made  at  the  forge  for  the  windows  of  his  house.  This  was  reputed 
to  be  a  place  of  retreat  for  the  more  open  Tories  and  free  booters 
when  they  were  closely  pursued.  He  seems  to  have  been  on  good 
terms  with  his  neighbors,  even  the  patriotic  ones,  and  kept  quiet 
in  the  later  years  of  the  war,  escaping  arrest  although  under  sur- 
veillance. 

After  the  Revolution  the  sons  of  Joseph  Sharp,  Senior,  Jos- 
eph, Junior,  and  William,  rode  up  on  horseback  to  occupy  the 
property  inherited  from  their  father.  The  forge  was  started  under 
the  direction  of  the  sons,  and  another  was  built  on  the  site  of  the 


IKON    MANUFACTURE.  85 

saw  mill  above  the  present  paper  mill.  When  William  became 
deranged,  Joseph  associated  his  brother-in-law  with  him  in  busi- 
ness, and  Colonel  John  Hathorn,  of  Warwick,  was  their  clerk  or 
superintendent.  The  business  in  their  hands  was  not  profitable, 
and  except  for  the  rise  in  value  in  his  landed  property,  Colonel 
Joseph  Sharp  would  have  become  a  bankrupt. 

Stephen  Ford,  Senior,  before  mentioned,  had  two  sons, 
Stephen,  Junior,  and  David.  Stephen,  Jr.,  was  a  merchant  and 
carried  on  business  in  the  store  house  that  he  built  near  his  father's 
dwelling,  and  which  is  still  standing,  having  been  used  by  a  long 
succession  of  store-keepers.  lie  went  to  New  York  for  the  pur- 
pose of  buying  goods,  and  died  there  with  the  yellow  fever  which 
was  then  prevailing  in  the  city. 

David  Ford  was  the  second  son  of  Stephen,  Senior,  lie  was 
interested  in  the  forges  with  the  Sharps,  or  after  them.  Soon 
after  his  brother's  death  he  entered  into  partnership  with  William 
Darrah,  and  they  were  associated  until  1818.  They  conducted 
the  store,  the  grist  mill,  and  the  Fountain  bridge  forge,  and  the 
firm  of  Ford  &  Darrah  was  extensively  known.  Ford  was  a 
Director  of  the  Sussex  Bank  and  Superintendent  of  a  portion  of 
the  Paterson  and  Hamburg  turnpike  road.  Under  his  supervision 
a  large  part  of  the  difficult  work  over  and  through  the  mountains 
was  done.  His  day  book  shows  the  setting  of  the  mile-stones  from 
Snufftown  through  Hamburg  and  Deckertown,  October,  1830.  In 
the  midst  of  his  business  enterprises  he  died  June  30th,  1837,  in 
the  sixtj-flfth  year  of  his  age. 

William  Dakeaii,  the  partner  of  David  Ford  for  many  years, 
was  born  near  Hamburg  1777.  His  large  farm  lay  half  way  from 
the  village  to  Franklin  Furnace,  and  adjoined  the  forge  lot,  which 
still  bears  the  names  of  himself  and  partner.  The  house  in  which 
he  spent  most  of  his  clays  is  still  standing  in  the  field  in  sight  from 
the  public  highway.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Captain 
Richard  Edsall,  of  Vernon,  and  had  a  large  family  of  sons 
and  daughters.  Henry  Thompson  Darrah,  his  eldest  son, 
succeeded  him  in  business.  In  October,  1818,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Sheriff  of  Sussex  county,  and  served  three  years.  There 
were  many  civil  suits  and  judgments,   and  many  Sheriffs  sales  of 


8t)  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

property  while  he  was  in  office.  lie  built  the  Martin  Mabee 
house,  was  remembered  as  a  kind  friend  and  good  citizen, 
and  died,  in  1830,  in  his  fifty-third  year.  lie  is  buried 
a  few  feet  only  from  his  partner,  David  Ford,  at  Hamburg.  In 
1S3T  his  family  immigrated  to  Missouri. 

In  1792  Jesse  Potts  and  his  brother  came  from  Trenton, 
and  built  a  more  extensive  forge  than  any  hitherto  constructed  in 
this  region.  This  was  located  farther  down  the  AVallkill,  and  the 
site  is  below  the  Haines  homestead.  The  timbers  were  very  large 
and  cut  in  Pochuck  Mountain.  In  hauling  a  large  stick  of  timber 
one  man  was  killed.  The  dam  was  washed  out  in  a  freshet,  and 
the  Potts  brothers,  after  several  misfortunes,  gave  up  business  at 
this  place  and  moved  away.  It  is  said,  1  know  not  with  how 
much  certainty,  that  they,  with  members  of  their  family,  after- 
wards founded  Pottsville,  Pa.  They  are  supposed  to  have  been 
connected  with  the  Potts  who  erected  the  first  forge  at  Franklin 
Furnace,  in  1765;  and  possibly  with  Thomas  Potts,  who  was 
high  Sheriff  of  Sussex  Co.  from  1772  to  1775,  although  belonging 
to  a  younger  generation.  Joseph  Sharp,  Jr.,  took  possession  of 
their  forge,  and  after  a  short  time  removed  the  building.  Rem- 
nants  of  the  dam  still  remain  in  the  water  of  the  stream. 

The  Potts's  called  their  forge  the  Hamburg  Iron  Works, 
from  Hamburg,  Germany.  From  this  is  derived  the  name  of  the 
village.  The  Sharps  sought  to  perpetuate  the  name  of  Sharps- 
boro,  by  which  the  place  had  been  called  for  some  years,  but  when 
the  Post  Office  was  established,  October  1st,  1795,  it  was  called 
Hamburg.  The  German  name  is  derived  from  two  words, 
Hamme,  a  forest,  and  Burg,  a  fortress  ;  the  whole  signifying  a 
Toxcer  in  the  Woods.  Hamburg  was  the  second  Post  Office  in 
the  county,  (which  then  included  Warren  County),  Sussex  Court 
House  being  established  March  20th,  1793.  The  next  in  order  of 
time  was  Sparta,  January  1st,  1798.  Previous  to  these  Morris- 
town  was  the  most  northerly  Post  Office  in  the  State. 

Colonel  Joseph  E.  Edsall  came  into  possession  of  the  Sharps' 
lower  forge  near  the  site  of  the  paper  mill,  and  after  running  it 
for  a  time,  built,  a  second  forge  in  close  proximity  a  few  rods  lower 
down,    1822-4.     Adam   Smith,  of  Canistear,  now  living  in   bis 


IRON    MANUFACTURE.  87 

ninety-sixth  year,  was  his  carpenter.  The  great  hammer  beam 
was  cut  in  Pochuck  Mountain,  and  broke  down  the  wagon  in  the 
village  during  its  transportation.  These  forges  were  run  much  of 
the  time  at  a  dead  loss,  and  Edsall  was  heavily  in  debt  at  the  time 
he  relinquished  them,  and  was  appointed  County  Clerk. 

The  Hamburg  Manufacturing  Company  was  organized  pre- 
vious to  1830,  and  purchased  the  forges  of  Edsall  and  other  prop- 
erty adjoining.  In  1834  this  company  took  down  the  forges,  and 
erected  the  charcoal  hot  air  blast  furnace  on  the  same  site.  John 
F.  Winslow  was  President  of  the  company  as  well  as  of  the  Clin- 
ton Manufacturing  Company,  of  Passaic.  Among  those  associa- 
ted with  him  were  Messrs.  William  Jackson,  Makepeace  and 
Huntington,  who  resided  in  Hamburg  for  a  time.  The  two  com- 
panies, by  purchase  and  lease,  held  much  valuable  property.  They 
were  owners  of  the  Clinton  or  Pochunk  mine  of  hematite  ore., 
which  made  iron  of  superior  quality.  This  mine  was  on  the  farm 
of  Nathan  Smith,  which  the  companies  purchased.  Peter  M. 
Kyerson,  of  Pompton,  transported  much  of  the  ore  from  this  mine 
all  the  distance  to  his  own  furnace.  lie  constructed  what  was 
called  the  "  gravity  road,"  which  branched  from  the  public  high- 
way opposite  Francis  Hamilton's  place,  and  by  gradual  assent 
reached  the  ore  beds. 

The  Hamburg  Company  employed  a  large  number  of  men 
in  the  mines,  in  chopping  wood  and  burning  charcoal  upon  the 
mountains,  and  at  their  furnace.  Their  employees  occupied  every 
available  house  in  the  vicinity,  and  the  company  put  up  a  number 
of  small  dwellings  of  their  own  to  which  the  name  of  "  the 
City  "  was  given.  Their  charcoal  burners  lived  in  log  houses  put 
up  near  the  places  where  they  worked.  Their  numerous  teams 
tilled  the  highways  as  they  carted  ore  and  charcoal  tojthe  furnaces 
or  transported  their  iron  to  the  markets.  Farmers  found  employ- 
ment for  their  teams  in  hauling  ore,  for  which  they  received  tick- 
ets entitling  them  to  trade,  to  the  amount  due  them,  at  any  of  the 
Hamburg  stores.  These  stores  were  doing  a  good  business,  the 
upper  and  lower  mills  were  running  to  their  full  capacity,  grind- 
ing flour  and  feed,  while  farmers  found  ready  sale  near  home  for 
most  of  their  farm  products. 


88  HARDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

In  consequence  of  the  failures  of  others  and  the  general  col- 
lapse of  business  enterprise  at  the  time,  misfortunes  overtook  the 
Hamburg  and  Clinton  Companies,  and  they  were  forced  to  sus- 
pend in  the  Spring  of  1838.  This  was  a  great  blow  to  the  village 
of  Hamburg.  It  sent  away  some  important  families,  threw  many 
workmen  out  of  employment,  and  brought  much  of  the  business 
activity  of  the  place  to  a  standstill. 

On  the  27th  of  February,  1838,  the  Clinton  Company  agreed 
to  sell  to  Peter  M.  Ryerson,  of  Pompton,  for  $22,500,  six  and 
eighty-five  hundredths  acres  of  their  mine  in  Pochunk,  upon 
which  was  part  of  their  hematite  or  ore  beds.  After  the  company's 
failure,  Dr.  Elias  L'Hommedieu  was  appointed  trustee  for  the 
creditors  and  purchased,  Dec.  7th,  183S,  at  a  sale  made  by  Sheriff 
John  Brodrick,  for  $4,011,  the  entire  property  of  one  hundred 
and  nine  acres  "  whereon  is  the  Clinton  ore  bed,  usually  called  the 
Clinton  Mine.''' 

Colonel  Joseph  E.  Edsall  had,  by  foreclosure  of  mortgage, 
regained  possession  of  his  lands,  with  all  the  improvements,  fur- 
nace and  houses,  erected  upon  them.  He  united  with  Dr.  L'Hom- 
medieu under  the  firm  name  of  Edsall  &  L'Hommedieu,  and  they 
operated  the  mines  and  furnace  for  a  time,  until  L'Hommedieu 
withdrew,  in  1815,  and  removed  to  Newark,  leaving  all  in  Edsall's 
hands.  The  latter  continued  the  business  for  four  or  five  years 
longer,  until  near  1850,  when  iron  ceased  to  be  made  on  this  spot, 
and  the  works  fell  into  decay.  Edsall  used  considerable  ore 
brought  from  the  Ogden  Mine,  and  his  son-in-law,  Thomas  D. 
Edsall,  mined  and  carted  it  for  him. 

Samuel  Edward  Margerum  was  an  iron  man  and  had  a 
blacksmith  shop  in  Hamburg.  His  wife  was  Mary  Ford,  daugh- 
ter of  Stephen,  Sr.,  and  sister  of  David.  He  built  the  house,  oppo- 
site John  L.  Wood's  present  shop,  afterwards  occupied  by  Sheriff 
John  Brodrick.  David  Ford  induced  his  sister  after  the  death  of 
her  husband  to  sell  her  house  and  with  her  children  make  her 
home  with  him,  he  being  unmarried.  About  1822  he  enlarged 
his  father's  house  in  upper  Hamburg  and  built  what  is  now  the 
main  part,  but  leaving  the  long  wing  with  dining  room  and 
kitchen,  which  belongs  to  Revolutionary  times.     Mrs.  Mary  Ford 


IKON    MANUFACTURE.  89 

Marge ni in  was  born  in  1772  and  died  in  1850.  She  possessed  a 
remarkable  memory  and  loved  to  detail  the  stirring  events  of  her 
early  life. 

Stephen  Ford  Margerum,  the  son  of  Samuel  Edward  and 
Mary  F.  Margerum,  was  born  at  Hamburg  1793,  and  died 
in  1852.  He  inherited  the  enterprise  of  his  family,  and  his 
business  connections  were  veiy  extensive.  In  1827  he  bought,  at 
commissioners'  sale,  of  the  estate  of  William  Smith,  deceased, 
merchant  of  New  York  city,  and  partner  of  Elias  Haines, 
1,088  65-100  acres  of  the  Colonel  Seward  tract  upon  Snufftown 
Mountain.  He  added  to  this  purchase  by  others  afterwards  made. 
The  venerable  John  Seward  mansion  was  his  home,  and  his 
mother,  Mrs.  Mary  F.  Margerum,  resided  with  him.  The  old 
house  has  only  recently  been  taken  down  to  make  room  for  the 
more  commodious  and  tasteful  dwelling  erected  by  his  son, 
Noah  II.  Margerum.  After  standing  a  century  and  a  quarter, 
much  of  the  old  frame  was  sound  and  good. 

Mr.  Margerum  had  a  saw  mill  and  grist  mill,  and  ran  the 
forge,  upon  the  Seward  Creek  branch  of  the  Pequannock  above 
his  house  and  near  the  Vernon  township  line. 

When  John  O.  Ford  relinquished  the  Franklin  works  he 
started  a  new  forge,  the  Windham,  near  his  home  at  Snufftown. 
He  had  several  sons,  among  them  Sidney,  Horace  and  Mahlon, 
who  were  engaged  in  mining  and  forging.  They  worked  the 
forges  at  Snufftown,  Stockholm  and  Milton,  and  carried  on  their 
works  to  a  late  period,  making  blooming  iron  and  ship  anchors. 
The  charcoal  iron  works  were  unable  to  compete  with  the  anthra- 
cite furnaces  of  Pennsylvania,  and  eventually  all  the  forges  along 
the  Pequannock  River  were  closed. 

The  Clinton,  or  Pochunk  Mine,  lies  within  the  limits  of  Ver- 
non township  about  two  and  a  half  miles  from  Hamburg,  upon 
the  summit  and  slopes  of  a  white  limestone  ridge  running 
parallel  to  the  mountain  a  short  distance  from  its  base.  The  ore? 
which  is  brown  hematite,  is  irregularly  distributed  through  a  mass 
of  highly  ferruginous  clayey  loam,  which  shows  a  great  display  of 
color,  texture  and  composition.      The  ore  itself  presents  an   equa 


90  HAEDY6TON     MEMORIAL. 

diversity  of  appearance,  but  is  all  hematite.  The  mineral  yields 
an  iron  superior  to  that  of  the  magnetic  ores  and  can  be  reduced 
with  much  less  consumption  of  fuel.  The  ore  was  formerly 
carted  fifteen  miles  to  the  Clinton  Furnace  and  ten  miles  further  to 
Pompton,  and.  after  railroad  connections  were  formed,  was  sent 
as  far  as  Scranton.  The  Franklin  Iron  Company  constructed  a 
branch  from  the  Susquehanna  Railroad,  at  Hamburg,  to  McAfee 
Taller,  a  distance  of  three  miles,  to  connect  the  mine  by  rail  with 
Franklin  Furnace.  The  working  has  ceased  for  over  ten  years, 
and  the  branch  to  the  mine  now  forms  part  of  the  Lehigh 
A:  Hudson  Bailroad. 

The  Edsall  mine,  at  Rudeville,  two  miles  from  Hamburg, 
was  discovered  in  sinking  a  well,  and  was  opened  a  little  earlier 
than  the  Clinton  mine.  It  has  the  same  valuable  quality  of  ore. 
The  excavation  is  nearly  two  hundred  feet  square,  about  sixty  feet 
in  depth,  and  is  now  mostly  filled  with  water.  A  tunnel  which 
once  drained  off  much  of  the  water  has  been  closed.  William 
Edsall  was  its  former  owner,  and  it  is  still  in  possession  of  his 
heirs.  Some  years  ago  they  were  offered  quite  a  sum  of  money 
for  it,  but  declined  selling,  and  since  then  there  has  been  no  de- 
mand for  the  ore  to  invite  purchasers.  William  Edsall  raised 
large  quantities  of  the  ore,  which  he  sold  to  the  Franklin  Manu- 
facturing Company,  for  some  years  previous  to  1S40.  Other  fur- 
naces and  forges  were  supplied  from  it. 

The  Simpson  mine,  between  the  two,  and  just  over  the  Ver- 
non line,  has  a  large  and  valuable  deposit  of  ore,  but  it  has  not 
been  worked  sufficiently  for  its  development. 

Iron  ore  has  been  found  upon  the  Rosencrantz  farm,  and  was 
one  inducement  for  the  Franklin  Iron  Company  to  purchase  it,  at 
$30,000  for  three  hundred  acres,  from  Mrs.  Mary  Rosencrantz, 
who  inherited  it  from  her  father,  Col.  Joseph  Sharp. 

The  following  letter,  inserted  by  his  permission,  is  from 
Hon.  John  I.  Blair,  now  venerable  in  years,  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful business  men  of  his  time,  and  who  will  be  remembered 
by  future  generations  for  his  large  benificence  in  the  cause  of  edu- 
cation : 


[RON    MANUFACTURE.  01 

Blairstown,  N.  J.,  May  5,  1888. 
To  Jacob  L.  Bunnell : 

My  Dear  Sir: — I  read  in  the  New  Jersey  Herald  of  last 
week,  with  great  pleasure,  the  early  history  of' those  intelligent 
and  influential  men,  who,  in  the  days  of  their  generation,  were  the 
owners  of  those  various  forges,  iron  and  zinc  mines  in  the  old 
county  of  Sussex.  All  these  men  have  long  since  passed  away  and 
their  property  changed  to  other  hands.  Nothing  remains  now  to 
remind  this  generation  of  the  existence  of  those  forges  except  the 
cinder-beds. 

The  narrative  recalls  to  mind  my  first  experience,  seventy-one 
years  ago,  at  the  age  of  fifteen.  I  was  then  clerk  in  a  store  in  the 
village  of  Hope,  then  in  old  Sussex,  and  went  with  a  teamster 
with  a  load  of  barrel  pork  to  exchange  for  iron.  Early  the  first 
day  we  arrived  at  Sparta  and  stopped  at  the  hotel  of  Dan  Hurd, 
who  was  then  the  principal  owner  of  Sparta,  and  owned  and  con- 
trolled a  number  of  forges.  Hurd  had  gone  to  New  York  and  his 
son,  a  boy  somewhat  older  than  myself,  asked  me  to  stay  until  his 
father  returned  that  evening,  assuring  us  that  he  would  purchase 
our  cargo.  The  next  morning  I  proposed  the  trade,  when  he  re- 
plied "  that  he  had  all  the  pork  he  needed."  This  was  a  great  dis- 
appointment ;  the  day  and  evening  spent  and  a  hotel  bill  to  pay, 
and  money  scarce.  I  felt  like  fighting  young  Hurd  for  the  deten- 
tion. We  left  Sparta  and  crossed  the  mountain,  by  what  was 
called  a  mountain  road,  almost  impassable,  to  Russia  forge,  where 
the  people  were  hungry  for  pork.  We  stayed  two  days  while  they 
made  iron  for  a  part  of  our  pork.  They  weighed  out  to  the  wood- 
chopper  his  share,  then  to  the  man  who  found  the  coal  his  share, 
then  to  the  one  that  made  the  iron,  then  to  the  miner,  while  the 
balance  went  to  the  owner. 

The  next  day  we  went  to  other  forges  without  success.  We 
then  went  to  a  place  called  "  Newfoundland."  I  thought  it  was 
properly  named,  as  it  was  the  only  land  we  had  found  since  we  left 
Sparta.  We  spent  two  days  going  from  there  to  other  forges 
with  but  little  success  until  we  arrived  at  Hamburg  and  Franklin, 
and  finally  sold  out  to  Joseph  Sharp  for  iron. 

Years  after  I  grew  up  to  manhood  my  business  relations  ex- 
tended more  or  less  to  them  all  and  ended  in  friendship. 

What  unexpected  changes  have  taken  place  since  !  In  the 
seventy-one  years  all  these  eminent  men,  all  long  since  gone,  their 
property  changed  hands  !  The  Lackawanna  Iron  and  Coal  Com- 
pany, of  Pennsylvania,  has  become  the  owner  of  the  most  valuable 
portion  of  these  properties,  including  the  Franklin  Iron  Company, 
the  Zinc  Company,  and  various  iron  mines  as  was  stated.     The 


V'2  UARDYSTOX    MEMORIAL. 

great  outlay  in  erecting  furnaces,  zinc  works,  and  other  improve- 
ments has  run  into  the  millions,  and t all  the  main  dividends  have 
been  paid  to  the  county  of  Sussex,  including  some  to  the  State  for 
taxes,  and,  strange  to  say,  whether  fortunately  or  unfortunately,  1 
am  among  the  principal  owners  in  all  these  properties.  The 
ownership  of  this  property  caused  me,  on  account  of  the  company, 
to  become  one  of  the  owners  of  the  Sussex  Railroad,  which  I  ex- 
tended to  Franklin  and  several  miles  beyond.  Also  the  line  to 
Branchville.  I  changed  the  line  across  the  meadows  at  Newton, 
and  made  other  valuable  improvements  for  the  terminus  at  New- 
ton, including  a  costly  and  convenient  depot.  We  have  since 
turned  over  the  road  to  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  Western 
Company,  who  has  relaid  it  with  steel  rails,  and  it  is  now  a  first- 
class  road  in  every  particular,  including  rolling  stock. 

Very  truly  yours, 

John  I.  Blair. 

LIME    MANUFACTURE. 

The  white  crystalline  limestone  of  this  vicinity  furnishes  a 
superior  quality  of  lime.  Many  years  ago  Dr.  Samuel  Fowler 
wrote  upon  the  minerals  of  Sussex  Co.,  for  Gordon's  Gazefe^r  of 
New  Jersey.     The  following  is  an  extract  from  it : 

"  Perhaps  in  no  quarter  of  the  globe  is  there  found  so  much 
to  interest  the  mineralogist,  as  in  the  white  crystalline,  calcareous 
valley,  commencing  at  Mounts  Adam  and  Eve,  in  the  county  i  >f 
Orange,  and  State  of  New  York,  about  three  miles  from  the  line 
of  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  and  continuing  thence  through  Ver- 
non, Hamburg,  Franklin,  Sparta  and  Byram,  a  distance  of  about 
twenty-tive  miles  in  the  county  of  Sussex.  This  limestone  is 
highly  crystalline,  containing  no  organic  remains,  and  is  the  great 
imbedding  matrix  of  all  the  curious  and  interesting  minerals 
found  in  this  valley.  When  burned,  it  produces  lime  of  a  superior 
quality.  A  considerable  quantity  of  this  stone  is  burned  into  lime 
near  Hamburg,  and  when  carted  to  the  towns  below,  as  Paterson, 
Newark,  etc.,  is  sold  for  one  dollar  per  bushel.  It  is  principally 
used  in  masonry,  for  white-washing,  cornice-work  and  wall  of  a 
fine  hard  finish,  and  is  considered  superior  to  the  best  Rhode 
Island  lime.  Some  varieties,  particularly  the  granular,  furnish  a 
beautiful  marble ;  it  is  often  white,  with  a  slight  tinge  of  yellow, 
resembling  the  Parian  marble  from  the  Island  of  Paros  ;  at  other 
times  clouded  black,  sometimes  veined  black,  and  at  other  times 
arborescent.'' 


IKON    MANUFACTURE.  93 

Around  Hamburg  on  many  farms  are  the  remains  of  ancient 
lime  kilns.  The  Sharps,  Edsalls,  Fords  and  Rudes  burned  lime. 
In  1810,  and  subsequent  years,  much  of  this  lime  found  its  way  to 
market  in  our  larger  towns  and  the  city  of  New  York.  But 
although  an  ancient  article  of  production,  the  more  extensive 
works  now  employed  are  of  quite  recent  erection. 

The  old-fashioned  kilns  were  approaching  an  egg-shape  in  the 
interior,  and  the  wood  and  lime  stone  were  put  in,  in  successive 
layers.  The  kiln  was  built  into  the  side  hill  to  afford  easy  access 
to  the  top.  It  was  covered  with  sods  before  the  flame  was  kin- 
dled. The  ashes  and  lime  were  drawn  out  at  the  bottom,  and  the 
fire  went  out  after  each  burning. 

The  continuous  kilns  are  constructed  with  the  fire  upon  the 
side,  so  that  the  flame  and  heat  may  pass  through  the  lime  stone, 
and  when  the  lime  is  burned  it  may  be  drawn  off  without  ming- 
ling with  the  ashes  or  interfering  with  the  continuance  of  the  fire. 

The  Windsor  Works,  at  Hamburg,  were  begun  in  1876. 
Sayre  <k  Van  Derhoof  are  the  owners  and  Richard  Van  Derhoof  the 
superintendent.  They  have  four  perpetual  kilns,  one  with  its 
chimney  seventy-four  feet  high,  a  second  sixty-five  feet,  and  two 
are  thirty  feet.  The  company  employs  about  150  men  in  the 
kilns,  quarries  and  mountain.  They  have  a  tramway  of  two  and 
a  half  miles  in  length  from  the  Rudeville  quarries  to  the  kilns. 
They  turn  out  about  one  hundred  thousand  bushels  of  lime  a  year, 
and  are  arranging  to  do  still  more. 

The  Hamburg  Lime  Works  were  also  begun  in  1S7G.  Joseph 
E.  Sheldon  is  superintendent.  They  have  three  perpetual  kilns 
which  are  without  flues.  Twenty  men  are  employed  in  the  kilns 
and  quarry,  but  much  of  the  work  is  done  by  contract.  They 
have  no  wood  choppers  and  purchase  wood  by  the  cord.  AVhen 
in  full  operation  the  kilns  produce  500  bushels  of  lime  per  day. 

The  Hamburg  Papek  Mill  was  erected  in  1873,  on  the  site 
of  the  old  blast  furnace,  by  James  B.  Davenport,  who  manufact- 
ured straw  wrapping  paper  and  tissue  paper.  The  premises  were 
rented  to  Tompkins  ifc  White,  who  were  manufacturing  quite  ex- 
tensively, when  the  mill  took  fire  and  was  consumed  with  a  quan- 
tity of  paper  ready  for  shipping.     The  mill  was  rebuilt,  and   pur- 


94  HAEDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

chased  by  the  McEwan  Manufacturing  Co.,  who  enlarged^it,  and 
employ  about  twenty  hands  in  making  straw  boards,  producing 
four  and  a  half  tons  per  day.  The  boards  are  cut  of  uniform  size 
and  sent  to  the  box  makers. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

HAMBURG    AND    SOME    OF    ITS    PEOPLE. 

It  is  an  error  to  suppose  that  Hamburg  is  a  larger  village  now 
than  it  has  ever  been.  Its  relative  importance  has  been  diminish- 
ing with  advancing  time  for  nearly  a  century.  We  must  go  back 
some  fifty,  or  even  ninety  years,  to  reach  what  may  be  called  its 
palmiest  days.  These  were  about  the  time  when  the  Post  Office 
was  established,  October  1st,  1795,  under  Thomas  Lawrence,  and 
all  the  iron  works  were  in  operation  ;  when  our  citizens  embarked 
in  the  enterprise  of  constructing  a  turnpike  road  fifty  miles  in 
length,  to  connect  the  village  witli  the  city  of  New  York.  When 
the  Hamburg  turnpike  road  was  completed,  about  1810,  there 
was  not  a  Post  Office  on  the  entire  route  to  New  York.  Around 
the  iron  works  many  small  houses  were  erected  for  the  use  of  the 
workmen  employed.  These,  with  numbers  of  other  dwellings 
then  built,  have  mostly  disappeared.  For  many  years  there  were 
more  stores  here  than  at  any  other  point  in  the  county.  Farmers 
brought  their  produce  and  did  their  trading,  coming  as  far  as  from 
Andover  and  Wantage. 

Mr.  Sharp  put  up  his  store  house  about  1S04,  built  the  stone 
mill  in  1808,  and  constructed  the  mill  road  running  from  his  house 
and  store  to  intersect  the  Newton  road  north  of  the  North  Church 
Cemetery.  He  stated  that  it  was  sixty-eight  chains  nearer  by  his 
road  from  Ryerson's  (Walling  house)  than  by  Lawrence's.  He 
made  a  strong  effort  to  secure  the  office  of  Postmaster  and  bring 
the  postal  business  to  his  store,  but  did  not  succeed. 

He  built  the  Haines  homestead  in  1800.  Caleb  and  Issacher 
Rude  were  his  carpenters,  and  he  brought  a  man  named  Johnson, 


tlt>  IIARDYSTON    MEMORIAL, 

from  Salem,  or  Philadelphia,  who  did  the  joining  and  finer  work. 

Mr.  Sharp  had  abundant  means  from  the  rise  in  value  of  his 
lauds,  and  lived  in  good  style,  and  what  was  esteemed  luxury,  in 
these  days,  until  the  losses  attendant  upon  his  iron  works  and 
other  ventures  diminished  his  income  and  he  removed  to  another 
house,  which  he  built  along  the  Wallkill,  in  Vernon  township, 
near  the  base  of  Pochunk  Mountain,  where  he  died  in  1845,  in  his 
-eighty-eighth  year. 

His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Simpson,  daughter  of  Henry  Simpson, 
who  lived  near  McAfee.  She  was  born  in  1771,  and  died  in  182-1 
while  Mr.  Sharp  was  living  at  Hamburg.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Hamburg  Presbyterian  Church  and  of  the  North  Hardyston,  after 
the  union  of  the  two  churches.  They  had  four  sons,  Thomas. 
Joseph,  Anthony  and  Isaac.  Of  their  daughters,  Eliza  married 
Dr.  James  Fowler  ;  Clarissa  married  Major  Thomas  B.  DeKay, 
who  lived  in  Vernon  near  the  State  line;  Mary  was  the  wife  of 
Dr.  Henry  C.  Posencrantz,  and  lived  in  the  house  on  the  Posen- 
crantz hill ;  Deborah  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  Horace  Vibbert,  of 
Deekertown. 

Issaeher  Rude,  one  of  the  carpenters  who  worked  for  Col. 
Sharp,  was  killed  in  the  raising  of  a  barn  on  the  Conrad  Tinker 
place.  Caleb,  his  brother,  also  a  carpenter,  lived  to  the  age  of 
ninety-three  and  a  half  years,  respected  and  beloved  by  all  who 
knew  him,  and  died  in  1871.  Their  father,  Caleb  Pude,  Senior, 
lived  in  Morris  county  and  became  a  soldier  in  the  Continental 
Army.  The  Tories  made  several  raids  upon  his  home,  and  that 
of  his  neighbors,  so  that  he  removed  his  family  for  safety  to  the 
vicinity  of  Stockholm,  and  took  most  of  his  pay  in  Continental 
money,  in  exchange  for  his  house  and  farm.  He  had  two  sons  in 
the  army,  Abner  and  Noah.  When  the  war  closed,  his  paper 
money  was  of  no  value,  and  he  found  himself  poor.  His  wife 
died,  and  he  bound  out  his  son  Caleb  as  an  apprentice  to  Simon 
Wade  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade.  Caleb,  Jr.,  married  Elizabeth 
Simpson,  daughter  of  the  Henry  Simpson  3d,  who  lived  on  the 
William  Edsall  farm. 

Joseph  E.  Edsall  was  born  in  1789  at  Pudeville,  in  the  log 
Jbouse  where  his  parents,  James  Edsall  and  Mary  Simpson  lived, 


HAMBURG    AND   SOME    OF    ITS    PEOPLE.  97 

lie  built  the  house  on  the  creamery  property  in  1820,  placing  it 
directly  in  the  road,  which  he  crowded  into  the  hill  in  front ;  and 
built  three  tenement  houses  adjoining.  lie  had  on  the  same 
ground  a  distillery  and  a  tannery,  below  the  hill.  For  a  time  he 
kept  a  store  in  his  dwelling,  and  in  1824  put  up  a  store  house,. 
which  stood  in  the  creamery  garden,  and  at  the  foot  of  the  church 
hill.  When  not  used  for  a  store  it  was  occupied  as  tenements 
for  families.     Christopher  Longstreet  was  Edsall's  carpenter. 

When  Robert  A.  Linn,  in  1820,  exchanged  properties  with 
his  brother-in-law,  Judge  Thomas  C.  Eyerson,  he  came  to* Ham- 
burg, and  after  a  few  years,  by  another  exchange,  acquired  the 
property  where  Edsall  had  lived.  Dr.  James  Fowler  had  gone 
south,  and  Edsall  bought  his  lot  of  land,  on  the^opposite  side  of 
the  road  from  the  present  Presbyterian  Church.  Upon  the  lot 
were  an  unfinished  dwelling,  a  store  house  and  barn.  Edsall  set  to 
work  to  complete  this  house,  but  before  it  was  done  it  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  He  re-built  the  dwelling  in  1830,  and  from  that 
time,  with  the  exception  of  a  year  or  two,  when  he  rented  it,  lie 
made  it  his  home  until  his  death  in  18G5.  His  wife-  was  Esther. 
daughter  of  James  Hamilton,  who  died  in  1812,  at  the  age  of  fiftr- 
four  years.  In  process  of  time,  Mr.  Edsall  became  possessed  of  most 
of  the  adjoining  property,  consisting  of  farm,  mill,  forges,  and 
buildings.  He  was  County  Clerk,  a  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas,  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  and  a  member  of  Con- 
gress for  two  terms,  in  Mr.  Polk's  time  and  during  the  Mexican 
war. 

Doctor  Samuel  Fowler  was  born  in  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  Octo- 
ber 30th,  1779.  His  ancestor,  John  Fowler,  came  from  England 
and  settled  on  Long  Island  as  early  as  1665.  After  completing 
his  medical  studies,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  he  began  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  Hamburg,  1801.  Of  great  versatility  of 
talent,  he  engaged  in  many  enterprises,  and  was  successful  in  alL 
He  was  one  of  the  most  eminent  physicians  that  our  county  has- 
produced,  and  his  was  the  leading  mind  in  all  medical  consulta- 
tions, and  at  the  meetings  of  the  Medical  Society. 

He  was  a  distinguished  naturalist  and  mineralogist,  collecting 
a  most  valuable  private  cabinet  of  American  minerals,  and  c©n«- 


98  UAKDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

sponded  with  scientific  men  at  home  and  abroad.  His  valuable 
letters  and  papers  were  consumed  in  the  destruction  of  the  Fowler 
homestead,  in  1884,  and  the  store  of  information  they  might  have 
imparted  is  lost. 

He  married  in  1808,  Ann  Breckenridge,  daughter  of  Colonel 
Mark  Thompson,  of  Changewater,  N.  J.,  who  was  a  member  of 
Congress  under  Washington's  administration.  Their  only  daugh- 
ter surviving  childhood,  was  Julia,  who  became  the  wife  of  Hon. 
Moses  Bigelow,  of  Newark,  N.  J.  Dr.  Fowler  built  a  house  in 
Hamburg,  which  is  still  standing,  and  which  he  sold  to  Martin 
Ryerson.  Soon  after  his  wife's  death  he  removed  to  Franklin, 
where  he  re-built  and  enlarged  the  house  in  which  he  lived  until 
his  death.  This  neighborhood  had  been  called  The  Plains,  from 
the  flat  lands  beginning  here  and  extending  toward  the  North 
Church,  which  included  the  farm  of  Capt.  George  Beardslee.  Dr. 
Fowler  constructed  a  dam  across  the  small  stream  that  passed  his 
house,  and  erected  a  grist  mill,  fulling  mill,  storehouse,  black- 
smith shop,  a  tannery,  and  several  small  dwellings.  To  these  he 
gave  the  name  of  Franklin,  and  from  this,  the  valuable  iron  ore 
in  the  vicinity  received  the  name  of  Franklinite,  and  the  Post 
Office  and  furnace  that  of  Franklin  Furnace. 

Dr.  Fowler's  second  wife  was  Rebecca  Wood  Piatt  Ogden, 
daughter  of  Robert  Ogden  3d,  of  Ogdensburg,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  1S16.  For  a  time  he  carried  on  the  manufacture  of 
iron  at  the  Hamburg  forges,  and  afterwards  at  Franklin  Furnace, 
for  a  while  in  partnership  with  John  O.  Ford,  but  mostly  by  him- 
self. Through  his  sagacity  and  business  tact,  he  made  remunera- 
tive a  hitherto  failing  business,  and  gave  an  impetus  to  this  branch 
of  manufacture  in  this  county,  which  was  unknown  before  and 
lias  been  felt  ever  since. 

He  attended  to  the  arduous  duties  of  his  medical  profession, 
visiting  patients  many  miles  away.  His  practice  extended  over 
five  counties  of  this  State,  and  even  into  New  York  and  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  constantly  visited  by  patients  who  came  long  dis- 
tances, and  was  sought  by  his  medical  brethren  in  consultation  on 
difficult  cases.  No  man  could  exceed  him  in  industry  and  careful 
attention  to  all  he  undertook.      He  was  well  known,  a  personal 


HAMBURG    AM)    SOME    OF    ITS    PEOPLE.  09 

friend  and  warm  supporter  of  General  Jackson,  was  twice  elected 
to  Congress,  and  was  in  "Washington  in  the  stormy  time  of  Cal- 
houn and  nullification.  His  celebrity  as  a  mineralogist  ranks  him 
among  the  first  in  the  country.  lie  brought  into  notice  the  value 
of  the  minerals  extending  in  the  hill  ranges  from  Sparta  to 
Amity,  Orange  county,  with  their  wealth  of  zinc  and  Franklinite. 
He  was  an  honorary  member  of  many  of  the  scientific  societies  of 
Europe  and  America. 

He  was  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  North  Hardyston  Church, 
long  the  President  of  its  Board  of  Trustees,  a  regular  attend- 
ant upon  its  services,  and  left  a  legacy  to  the  church. 

It  is  due  to  place  him  in  the  first  rank  among  those  distin- 
guished citizens  whose  talents  and  lives  have  reflected  honor  upon 
their  State  and  country. 

He  died  at  Franklin,  February  20th,  18-14  in  his  sixty-fifth 
year,  and  is  buried  in  the  North  Church  cemetery. 

Sidney  Piioznix  Haines,  son  of  Elias  and  Mary  Ogden  Haines, 
was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York  in  1801,  and  was  sent,  when 
quite  young,  to  Florida  b}^  his  father,  who  was  a  partner  in  the 
company  which  obtained  the  Aredondo  Grant  from  the  Spanish 
government,  and  began  the  first  American  settlement  in  the  ter 
ritory.  Sidney  acted  as  agent  for  his  father,  and  traded  for  him 
with  the  Spaniards  and  Indians.  The  frequent  voyages  of  their 
brig,  which  conveyed  cattle  and  good  s,  and  all  the  hazards  of  the 
early  settlement,  were  well  suited  to  his  adventerous  spirit ;  and 
hunting  and  exploration  added  a  charm  to  his  southern  life.  At 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Seminole  war  the  settlers  were  obliged  to 
fiee  for  their  lives,  leaving  all  their  property  and  improvements. 
"When  the  United  States  government  assumed  possession  of  Flor- 
ida, it  refused  to  recognize  the  rights  of  the  settlers,  and  restore 
to  them  the  territory  to  which  they  laid  claim. 

"When  driven  from  Florida,  the  young  man  came  to  Ham- 
burg, and,  about  1828,  became  established  in  business.  In  1830 
John  Brodrick  was  his  partner,  and  they  kept  store  in  the  house 
that  once  stood  where  the  brick  store  of  Edsall,  Chardavoyne  & 
Co.  now  is.  Haines  ran  one  of  the  Sharp  forges  for  a  time,  and 
burned  charcoal  upon  the  mountain. 


100  HABDYSTON  MEMORIAL. 

He  married  Diadamia  Austin,  second  daughter  of  Alauson 
Austin,  of  Warwick,  Is.  Y.,  in  1830,  and  lived  in  the  Walling 
house.  Tie  was  Post  Master  in  1833,  and  for  some  years  after, 
the  salary  being  $48.25.  When  Brodrick  retired  from  the  firm  of 
Haines  &  Brodrick,  Robert  A.  Linn  entered  into  partnership 
with  him,  and  the  new  firm  of  Linn  &  Haines  conducted  a  thriv- 
ing   business  for  a  country  store. 

Mr.  Haines  wTas  a  very  jovial  man,  and  popular  wherever  he 
was  known.  For  a  time  he  entered  warmly  into  politics,  and  at 
the  meetings  would  get  off  many  witty  sayings.  He  had  a  four 
horse  team  and  a  large  wagon,  which  he  often  drove  to  the  polit- 
ical meetings,  or  the  voting  polls,  with  a  full  load  of  the  men  em- 
ployed in  his  works.  They  were  all  Jackson  Democrats  in  those 
da}"s.  Later,  when  he  became  a  christian  man  and  a  church  mem- 
ber, the  same  team,  with  its  driver,  often  carried  as  full  a  load  to 
the  extra  religious  meetings  of  Dr.  Fairchild. 

He  started  a  Sunday  School  upon  the  mountain,  near  his 
"  Coal  job,"  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Mud  Pond,  and  rode  on  horse- 
back to  attend  it  on  Sunday  afternoons.  The  "coal  job  families" 
were  among  the  poorest  and  most  destitute  portion  of  our  popu- 
lation, but  the  Sunday  School  bore  precious  fruit  in  leading  some 
to  Christ,  as  did  the  Log  Chapel  Sunday  School,  somewhat  mod- 
eled after  it,  in  later  times. 

The  late  John  Biggs,  a  leading  minister  of  the  Free  Metho- 
dist Church,  learned  to  read  and  received  his  first  religious  im- 
pressions in  this  Sunday  School.  For  nearly  thirty  years,  he 
labored  and  preached  through  the  mountains,  in  school  houses 
and  dwellings,  reaching  scores  who  were  overlooked  by  churches 
and  christians.  His  death  occurred  in  April,  1888,  and  the  large 
attendance  from  all  denominations  at  his  funeral  attested  the 
high  esteem  entertained  for  one  who,  with  few  advantages, 
accomplished  much  good. 

Sindey  Haines  was  benevolent,  and  interested  in  every  chris- 
tian work,  into  which  his  good  wife  also  entered  most  heartily. 
This  earnestness  characterized  him  all  his  days  ;  and  his  widow, 
now  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years,  in  her  home  in  Denver,  Colo- 
rado, is  still  engaged  in  good  works.     The  sick  and  the  poor  find 


HAMBURG    AND    SOME    OF    ITS    PEOPLE.  101 

in  her  a  friend  and  a  comforter. 

Haines  visited  the  west,  and  embarked  in  the  enterprise  of 
founding  a  great  town,  projected  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi 
River,  in  Missouri,  to  be  called  Marion  City.  The  location 
seemed  excellent,  stretching  along  the  river  for  a  mile  and  a  half, 
with  convenient  landings  for  steamboats,  and  making  a  fine  port. 
The  lands  were  purchased  from  the  government,  the  streets 
laid  out,  churches  planned,  and  a  college  founded,  with  Rev.  Dr. 
Ely  as  President.  Haines  moved  his  family  there  in  1838.  For 
a  time  all  went  well,  but  other  towns  attracted  the  settlers,  and 
after  a  great  freshet,  when  the  river  rose  so  high  as  to  flood  the 
place,  he  changed  his  home  to  Palmyra,  and  afterwards  to  Hani- 
bal,  Mo.  Here  he  engaged  extensively  in  business,  and  on  one  of 
his  business  tours  contracted  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  from 
which  he  died,  July  13th,  1817. 

Henry  Thomson  Darkah  was  the  son  of  Sheriff  William  Dar- 
rah  and  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Captain  Richard  Edsall.  He  was 
born  in  the  old  Darrali  house  Oct.  11,  1805.  His  youth  was  spent 
upon  the  farm  ;  he  attended  the  district  school  and  was  one  of  the 
foremost  scholars.  He  had  been  clerk  in  the  store  in  Upper  Ham- 
burg, and  upon  his  father's  death,  in  1830,  took  the  business  on 
his  own  account,  and  continued  it  until  his  removal  to  Missouri,  in 
1837.  He  was  early  the  subject  of  religious  impressions,  and 
in  1831  united  with  the  North  Church  and  became  very  useful  in 
this  community,  as  well  as  in  his  western  home.  He  was  a  mag- 
istrate in  St  Louis.  His  fondness  for  study  continued  through 
life,  and,  familiar  with  books,  few  surpassed  him  in  general  knowl- 
edge.    He  died  in  St.  Louis. 

His  wife  was  Mary  Ogden  daughter  of  Elias  Haines,  born 
Oct.  3d,  1S00,  a  woman  of  great  literary  attainments,  whose  prose 
and  poetic  writings  frequently  appeared  in  religious  papers  and 
magazines.  Her  benevolence  and  christian  activity  were  exhibited 
wherever  she  went.    Her  death  occurred  at  Flora,  111.,  in  1883. 

After  their  marriage  they  lived  in  the  Darrah-Dale  cottage, 
which  was  afterwards  transformed  into  the  Baptist  parsonage. 
When  they  occupied  it,  the  beautiful  order  of  the  grounds  and 
the  wooded  glen  adjoining,  inade  it  a  gem  of  a  home,  with  pic- 


102  HABDYSTOS    MEMORIAL. 

turesqne  surroundings. 

Their  only  child,  Elizabeth,  born  at  Hamburg  June  25th, 
1832,  married  General  Lewis  B.  Parsons,  of  Illinois.  In  her  were 
combined  rare  graces  of  mind  and  heart,  and  an  artistic  talent 
which  she  cultivated  by  several  years  of  study  in  Europe.  She 
died  at  Scarboro,  Me.,  September  2d,  1887. 

John  Newman,  supposed  to  have  been  born  on  Long  Island, 
came  to  this  vicinity  from  Monmouth  county,  N.  J.  He  had  two 
sons,  Emanuel  and  David. 

Emanuel  purchased  the  present  James  Ludlum  Munson  farm 
of  Robert  Ogden,  in  1775.  He  bought  other  lands  of  Lewis  Mor- 
ris in  1779,  and  of  Anthony  Brodrick  in  1780.  His  wife  was 
Ann  Carnes,  who  became  entirely  blind.  He  died  in  1795, 
leaving  no  children. 

David  purchased  at  one  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre  the 
Beaver  Bun  tract,  which,  including  the  Dusenbury  farm  and  ex- 
tending to  the  Morris  Yale  farm,  contained  989  acres.  He  lived 
in  a  house  which  stood  near  the  present  Beaver  Run  Post  Office. 
At  his  death  his  landed  estate  was  divided  into  six  farms  and 
given  to  his  four  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  eldest  son,  Eman- 
uel, inherited  the  Roleson  farm,  David  the  Hardin  farm,  James 
the  Hiles  farm,  John  the  Beaver  Run  farm,  Elizabeth,  who  mar- 
ried James  Congleton,  had  the  Congleton  farm,  and  Jane,  who 
married  Joseph  McDaniels,  the  Dusenbury  farm. 

Emanuel,  Jr.,  died  in  1850,  aged  77  years.  His  son  is  Sam- 
uel Newman,  who  sold  the  farm  he  inherited  to  Jackson  Roleson, 
and  now  resides  near  Deckertown.  Jane,  wife  of  Emanuel,  Jr., 
died  in  1S63,  aged  84  years. 

David  Neicman  3feDaniels,  grandson  of  David  Newman, 
was  born  in  1801,  and  now  resides  near  Wilksbarre,  Pa.  He  re- 
members well  his  coming  when  a  boy  to  see  the  four  companies  of 
the  2d  Sussex  Regiment  when,  in  1814,  they  set  off  on  their  march 
to  Sandy  Hook.  They  assembled  in  Hamburg,  and  with  flying 
colors  and  martial  music,  marched  over  the  Sharp's  bridge  and  by 
the  Lawrence  road  and  past  the  North  Church. 

In  his  childhood  he  was  frequently  taken  to  the  Cary  Meet- 
ing House,  winch   was  then  an  old  building,  and  he  is  sure  it 


HAMBURG    ANT)    SOME    OF    ITS    PEOPLE.  103 

must  have  been  erected  before  the  Revolutionary  war. 

Ashman  Carpenter  was  born  in  Morris  county  in  1702,  and 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  became  a  soldier  of  1ST.  J.  State  troops.  With 
two  others,  he  captured  a  party  of  four  Hessians,  coming  upon 
them  by  surprise  when  the}'  had  halted  at  a  spring.  The  prison- 
ers were  taken  into  the  American  lines  but  their  muskets  were  re- 
tained. Carpenters  was  preserved  for  a  great  while,  until  one  of 
his  sons  traded  it  off  for  a  bird  gun.  After  the  war  he  farmed 
for  a  time  for  Mr.  Thomas  Lawrence,  and  lived  in  the  stone  house, 
standing  a  little  back  from  the  North  Church  road.  Coby  Quick, 
a  stone  mason,  said  to  have  been  a  brother  of  Tom  Quick,  the  In- 
dian slayer,  was  its  builder.  Carpenter  learned  the  weaver's  trade, 
and  wove  linen  and  woolen  cloth.  After  a  time  he  received  in- 
struction in'the  weaving  of  blue  and  white  counterpanes,  and  was 
very  skillful  in  forming  figures  and  flowers  in  his  web.  He  died 
in  1839. 

Anthony  Chardavoyne  and  his  brother  were  early  owners  of 
the  Dusenbury  property,  which  was  afterward  sold  to  David 
Newman,  and  inherited  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Jane  McDaniels. 
They  kept  a  store  there  for  a  long  time,  until  Anthony  purchased 
the  farm  in  Red  Cedar  Hollow,  which  after  his  death  was 
bequeathed  to  his  son  AVilliam,  and  is  now  occupied  by  his  grand- 
son, Barret  II.  Chardavoyne.  On  the  Dusenbury  farm  is  the 
"  Indian  Meadow,"  and  upon  it  is  a  mound  largely  made  up  of 
fragments  of  broken  stone  and  flint  chips,  left  by  the  Indians  who 
had  there  a  sort  of  factory  for  stone  implements  and  arrow  heads. 

Peter  Shafer,  born  1792  or  1793,  and  who  still  survives, 
was  living  in  1818  on  the  Ilarker  farm,  now  known  as  the  Peter 
Fountain  farm.  One  morning  he  saw  four  black  animals  come 
out  of  the  woods  and  follow  down  the  Wallkill.  At  first  sight  he 
mistook  them  for  dogs,  but  got  his  gun  and  pursued  them.  He 
soon  found  that  it  was  a  she  bear  with  three  cubs.  They  climbed 
a  large  tree  just  below  the  Haines  house,  where  Shafer  killed  the 
old  bear  and  captured  the  cubs. 

He  married  a  daughter  of  William  Cassady,  and^after  the 
death  of  his  father-in-law  bought  out  the  interest  of  the  other 
heirs,  and  made  the  house  his  home  until  he  sold  it  to  Thomson  D. 
Eiggs. 


104  HABDYSTON    MEMOBIAI.. 

Major  Absalom  Shaker,  brother  of  Peter,  lived  in  the 
David  Benjamin  house.  He  was  Captain  of  the  "  Hardyston  Vol- 
unteers," a  military  company  formed  in  Hamburg.  They  wore 
blue  coats,  white  pantaloons,  and  high  crowned  hats  ;  the  front  of 
each  hat  was  covered  with  a  plate  of  tin,  on  which  was  painted 
the  name  of  the  company,  and  surmounted  with  a  white  feather 
tipped  with  red.     Peter  Fountain  was  fifer  to  this  company. 

Elias  L'Hommedieu,  M.  D.,  was  of  Huguenot  descent,  and 
born  1794.  His  mother  was  Cornelia  Losey,  of  Morris  county. 
He  began  to  practice  medicine  in  Hamburg,  and  announced  his 
coming  in  May,  181G,by  the  advertisement  that  he  had  "taken  board 
at  James  Ilorton's  Inn,  and  would  punctually  attend  the  calls  of 
all  who  should  favor  him  with  their,  patronage."  In  1821  he 
purchased  of  the  heirs  of  Martin  Ryerson  the  Dr.  Fowler  house 
and  farm.  His  wife  was  Sarah  Denton,  of  Vernon.  He  was  the 
Fourth  of  July  orator  in  1821,  and  is  said  to  have  been  a  man  of 
much  versatility  of  talent;  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  in  1832,  and  again  in  1837,  serving  for  ten 
years.  He  united  with  the  North  Church  in  1831,  was  made  an 
Elder  in  1837  and  became  very  useful  and  influential. 

When  the  Hamburg  Manufacturing  Company  failed,  in  1S38, 
he  was  appointed  Trustee  of  the  creditors,  and  purchased,  De- 
cember 7,  1838,  at  a  sale  made  by  Sheriff  John  B  rod  rick,  for  the 
sum  of  $4,041,  one  hundred  and  nine  acres,  being  that  part  of 
land  conveyed  by  mortgage  of  Nathan  Smith,  whereon  is  the 
( linton  ore  bed,    usually  called  the  Clinton  mine. 

Joseph  E.  Edsall  had  by  foreclosure  of  mortgage  secured  pos- 
session of  the  Hamburg  furnace.  L'Hommedieu  &  Edsall  united 
in  business  and  operated  the  iron  works  for  a  time.  It  was  a  losing 
enterprise  for  the  doctor,  and  he  relinquished  the  entire  business 
into  the  hands  of  his  partner,  April  1846.  He  removed  to  New- 
ark, and  entered  the  grocery  and  commission  business  with  John 
V.  Baldwin.  His  commercial  ventures  were  unsuccessful.  He 
died  at  Bloomfield,  July  28,  1853. 

He  had  five  children.  His  eldest  daughter,  Mary,  married 
Rev.  Mr.  Moore  and  removed  with  him  to  the  West.  His  sons, 
"William  Henry  and  Hezekiah  Denton,  died  in  early  manhood. 


HAMBURG    AND    SOME    OF    ITS    PEOPLE.  105 

James  Congleton  was  born  in  Hardyston,  June  12,  1780  ; 
married  March,  1805,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  David  Newman, 
who  was  born  1787,  at  Beaver  Run,  and  died  1861,  on  the  farm 
where  her  entire  life  had  been  spent.  Mr.  Congleton  united 
with  the  North  Church  in  1819;  was  made  an  Elder  in  1821, 
and  continued  in  that  office  for  fifty  years,  serving  the  church 
with  sincere  piety  and  consecration.  A  man  was  once  being  ex- 
amined before  the  Session  for  admission  to  the  communion,  and 
in  narrating  his  experience  said,  that  the  regular  and  faithful 
attendance  of  the  old  deacon  so  affected  his  mind,  he  could  not 
rest  until  he  followed  him  to  church  and  gave  his  heart  to  God. 
Mr.  Congleton  fell  asleep  January  21,  1871,  in  full  age,  like  a 
shock  of  corn  fully  ripe. 

His  eldest  son  Levi  Congleton,  was  born  April,  1810,  married 
Charlotte,  daughter  of  Ilezekiah  Schofield.  united  with  the 
North  Church  in  1831,  and  was  made  an  Elder  in  1866.  He  re- 
moved to  Sparta,  but  returned  to  Beaver  Run  a  short  time 
before  his  death,  November,  1879.  His  widow  died  August, 
1887,  at  Sparta, 

John  Erastus  Congleton  was  the  fourth  child  of  Levi,  born 
in  1841  ;  was  sergeant  Co.  D.,  27th  Regiment  N.  J.  Yols.  He 
married  Anna  Mary  Hiles,  daughter  of  William  Hiles,  of  Beaver 
Run,  and  granddaughter  of  Rev.  George  Banghardt.  They 
united  with  the  North  Church  in  1866.  Lie  was  made  an  Elder 
in  1876,  and  after  giving  promise  of  great  usefulness,  died  sud- 
denly, June  23d,  1879,  at  Beaver  Run. 

John  Buckley,  whose  father  came  from  England,  carried  on  the 
tannery  business  at  Hackettstown.  He  was  an  active  business 
man.  His  name  appears  as  a  witness  to  a  deed  given  for  the  site 
of  the  Hackettstown  Presbyterian  Church,  in  1764,  in  the  pros- 
perity of  which  church  he  was  largely  interested.  He  married 
Mary  Turner.  His  sons  were  George,  Reuben,  James,  John, 
Robert  and  Amos.  He  removed  to  Hardyston  and  came  in  pos- 
session of  the  farms  afterwards  owned  by  Michael  R.  Sutton  and 
Abram  Stoll,  and  carried  on  farming  and  the  tannery  business. 
His  sons,  Robert,  James,  John  and  Amos  removed  from 
Hardyston. 


106  HAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

George  lived  on  his  father's  farm,  and  was  an  Elder  of  Ilar- 
dyston  Church,  and  of  North  Ilardyston  Church  after  the  separa- 
tion in  1819,  and  assisted  in  planting  the  maple  trees  which  now 
surround  that  edifice.  His  pastor,  Kev.  Dr.  Fairchild,  in  speaking 
of  the  struggles  of  the  church,  years  after  t\\ii  death  of  Mr.  Buck- 
ley, said  that  "George  Buckley  was  a  great  worker  in  the  church ; 
he  could  almost  carry  the  ark  alone."  Removed  in  1837  to  War- 
ren county.  Reuben  Buckley,  brother  of  Johns-  Sr.,  settled  in 
Wantage  township  after  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  had  three 
daughters. 

Beuben  2d,  son  of  John,  Sr.,  married  Sarah,  eldest  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Abigail  AVade.  He  resided  and  died  in  Hardys- 
ton,  where  his  widow  continued  to  live,  and  raised  a  family  of 
iive  sons  and  one  daughter. 

Simon  Wade,  the  oldest  son  of  Reuben  2d,  born  April  14th, 
1808,  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Bethia  Kimble. 
He  was  Elder  in  the  North  Ilardyston  Church  from  1818 
until  his  removal  to  Wantage  township.  He  there  became  an 
Elder  in  the  Deckertown  Church,  and  served  until  his  death  in 
1875.     His  wife,  Jane  Kimble,  died  in  1885. 

Jacob  and  Ephraim,  Kimble  were  twins,  and  only  children  of 
Daniel  Kimble,  who  married  a  Keltz.  Jacob  married  Bethia, 
daughter  of  James  Hopkins,  and  lived  at  the  Big  Spring.  He 
was  an  Elder  at  the  North  Church  from  1827  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  1863.  His  sons  were  Burr  Baldwin,  Jacob  and  David 
Hopkins.  His  daughters — Lydia,  married  to  William  Lantz  ; 
Sarah,  to  Samuel  Beardslee  ;  Jane  to  Elder  Simon  W.  Buckley  ; 
Catharine,  to  Abram  Stoll ;  Lucilla,  to  Elder  Samuel  O.  Price ; 
Charlotte,  to  Sheriff  James  Smith,  and  Matilda,  unmarried. 

Ephraim  was  the  father  of  Robert  and  Ephraim  M.  He 
lived  in  the  house  which  was  burned  down,  and  rebuilt  of  brick 
by  his  son,  Ephraim  Martin  Kimble. 

James  Hojjl-ins  owned  land  from  Big  Spring  to  Mark  Con- 
gleton's,  and  had  two  sons,  Jonathan  and  David,  and  three 
daughters,  Charlotte,  wife  of  Benjamin  Kays,  Sr.;  Bethia,  wife 
of  Elder' Jacob  Kimble,  and  Lydia,  wife  of  Elder  Samuel  Tuttle. 
To  each  of  his  children  he  bequeathed  a  large  farm. 


HAMBURG    AND    SOME    OF    ITS    PEOPLE.  107 

William  Inglis,  Esquire,  married  Lucretia,  daughter  of 
Michael  Borick.  Their  home  was  at  Monroe  Corners.  His  son, 
Rorick  Inglis,  died  July,  1888. 

Shadrach  Fountain  came  from  Saddle  River,  Bergen  Co., 
N.  J.,  and  worked  on  the  farm  of  Thomas  Lawrence.  His  name 
indicates  his  Huguenot  descent.  He  was  the  father  of  Peter 
Fountain,  and  Mary,  wife  of  Nathan  Smith. 

Nathan  Smith  was  born  in  1777,  and  died  in  1857.  He  was 
the  owner  of  the  Welch  farm,  which  he  purchased  from  Joseph 
Sharp.  After  the  discovery  of  the  hematite  iron  ore  mine  upon 
it,  he  sold  the  farm  to  the  Clinton  Manufacturing  Company,  and 
lived  on  the  Harker  farm,  along  the  Wallkill,  above  Hamburg. 
He  afterwards  bought  the  farm  on  the  Mill  road,  and  lived  in  the 
house  which  William  Ayres  built  in  1822,  opposite  the  Bennett 
Field.  Henry  I.  Simpson  took  down  the  old  house  and  built  the 
present  one,  for  one  of  his  sons.  Mary  Fountain,  wife  of  Nathan 
Smith,  was  born  in  1780,  and  died  in  1835.  Nathan  left  a  large 
property  divided  at  his  deatli   among  fourteen  children. 

Nathan  Smith  and  Peter  Fountain  together  bought  the 
Harker  farm.  Smith  sold  out  to  Fountain,  and  Fountain  sold 
considerable  portions  of  it  to  Colonel  Edsall. 

William.  Ayres  lived  on  the  Mill  road,  and  his  sons,  Archi- 
bald and  James,  in  two  small  houses,  which  he  put  up  for  them 
on  the  two  hills  beyond.  In  the  first,  afterwards  lived  the  Widow 
Markham,  who  told  fortunes,  and  was  accounted  a  witch. 

Benjamin,  son  of  Moses  and  Abigail  Northrup,  was  born  at 
Eidgeiield,  Conn.,  1739,  and  died  September  1774.  His  wife  was 
Lenora,  born  1739,  and  died  March  1811.  They  removed  first  to 
Dutchess  county,  N,  Y.,  and  came  about  1769  to  the  North  Church 
and  lived  on  the  Plains  farm  now  owned  by  the  Franklin  Iron 
Co.  He  was  the  owner  of  a  large  tract  of  land.  Their  son  Moses 
was  born  1762  and  died  18-16  ;  their  grandson  Moses  Whitehead 
was  born  1799  and  died  1877,  and  Henry  Northrup  of  Lafayette 
is  their  great  grand  son. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


THE  SECOND  WAR  WITH  ENGLAND. 


Congress  declared  war  against  Great  Britian  on  the  18th  of 
June,  1812.  The  result  of  the  fall  elections  of  that  year  in  our 
State  was  the  complete  overthrow  of  the  administration  party,  and 
the  triumph  of  the  Federalists,  or  Peace  party,  in  the  choice  of 
members  of  Congress  and  the  securing  of  a  majority  in  the  Legis- 
lature. Colonel  Aaron  Ogden,  son  of  Judge  Ogden,  of  Ogdens- 
burg,  was  chosen  Governor.  lie  was  at  that  time  a  resident  of 
Elizabethtown,  engaged  in  the  successful  practice  of  law.  The 
voice  of  her  people  was  in  condemnation  of  the  war,  but  never 
was  New  Jersey  found  to  falter  in  patriotism,  nor  did  she  ever 
refuse  (like  some  States)  to  call  out  her  contingent  of  troops. 
When  the  nation  was  in  actual  conflict  with  a  great  power,  it  was 
not  the  disposition  of  her  Governor,  her  Legislature  and  people, 
to  hesitate  in  bearing  their  part  in  the  sufferings  and  privations  of 
the  struggle.  So  great  was  the  confidence  reposed  in  Ogden'that 
President  Madison  nominated  him  as  Major  General,  with  the  in- 
tention of  placing  him  in  command  of  the  forces  operating  against 
Canada.     He,  however,  declined  the  appointment. 

In  the  conflict  which  followed  the  declaration  of  war,  Kew 
Jersey  did  not  suffer  from  actual  invasion.  The  contest  was  prin- 
cipally carried  on  upon  the  frontiers  and  upon  the  sea,  yet  her 
sons  bore  their  share  in  the  great  struggle.  Who  joined  the  na- 
tional army  from  among  the  citizens  of  our  town  cannot  now  be 
fully  ascertained.     A  man  named    Grill,  commonly  called  "  Cap- 


THE  SECOND  WAR  WITH  ENGLAND.  109 

tain,"  was  wounded  in  the  shoulder  at  Lundy's  Lane.  Upon  his 
discharge  he  came  to  Canistear,  where  lie  lived  for  many  years, 
and  from  time  to  time  appeared  in  Hamburg  to  receive  his  pen- 
sion. Among  his  sons  were  Fred  and  Moore  Grill,  who  had  an 
unenviable  reputation. 

The  Second  Sussex  Regiment  New  Jersey  militia,  of  revolu- 
tionary fame,  still  continued  its  organization.  Many  were  veter- 
ans, but  young  blood  mostly  coursed  in  the  veins  of  those  who 
tilled  its  ranks.  Four  companies  marched  to  Sandy  Hook,  when 
New  York  City  was  threatened  with  assault  from  the  British 
fleet.  One  of  these  companies  was  led  by  Captain  Charles  Beards- 
lee,  of  the  North  Church,  and  another  by  Captain  John  Cary,  of 
Hamburg.  Their  recruits  were  mainly  Hardyston  men.  Some 
military  companies  from  Orange  county  joined  them,  one  of  which 
was  commanded  by  Captain  Alanson  Austin,  of  Warwick. 

William  and  Henry  Warren  Ogden,  nephews  of  Gover- 
nor Ogden,  were  scarcely  more  than  lads  when  they  received 
midshipmen's  warrants  in  the  navy.  William  soon  left  the  ser- 
vice, but  his  brother  continued  a  naval  officer  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  rising  to  the  rank  of  Captain,  and  commanding  his  own 
ship.  He  cruised  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe,  and  was  sent  on 
many  important  expeditions.  In  his  visits  to  Hamburg  he  loved 
to  recount  some  of  the  eventful  scenes  of  his  life,  and  especially 
the  cruise  of  the  frigate  Essex. 

He  was  ordered  on  board  of  her  upon  receiving  his  first  com- 
mission. The  Essex  was  commanded  by  Captain  David  Porter. 
She  carried  thirty-two  guns,  and  on  the  3d  of  July  sailed  from 
Sandy  Hook  on  a  cruise  to  the  south.  On  the  13th  of  August 
she  encountered  the  Alert,  a  British  war  vessel,  which  ran  down 
upon  the  Essex's  quarter  sending  the  shot  over  her  decks.  The 
fire  was  gallantly  returned,  and  after  an  action  of  only  eight  min- 
utes the  Alert  surrendered.  Captain  Porter  put  on  board  of  his 
prize  a  crew  of  his  own  men,  and  sent  her  with  his  prisoners  to 
New  York.  Her  capture  was  the  first  American  success  of  the 
war,  and  her  flag  sent  to  Washington,  the  first  taken  from  the 
enemy. 

Captain  Porter  continued  his  cruise,  doubling  Cape  Horn 


110  IIARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

amid  tremendous  storms,  and  entering  the  Pacific  Ocean.  For 
six  months  he  cruised  along  the  coast  of  Chili  and  contiguous 
waters,  making  havoc  of  British  shipping.  The  news  of  the 
Essex  achievements  caused,  at  length,  the  sending  of  a  force  to 
destroy  her.  She  had  been  carried  into  Valparaiso  for  supplies, 
and  was  just  standing  out  for  sea,  when  the  frigate,  Phoebe,  and 
the  slope  of  war,  Cherub,  made  an  attack.  This  was  in  neutral 
waters  and  contrary  to  all  the  rules  of  war.  The  Essex  had  lost 
her  main  top  mast,  the  wind  was  contrary,  and  in  close  proximity 
to  the  coast,  she  could  not  be  brought  into  position  to  use  her 
broadsides.  Anchors  were  dropped  ahead  from  small  boats,  and 
and  the  hausers  were  hauled  to  bring  her  into  place.  All  this 
was  done  under  the  heavy  fire  of  the  hostile  ships.  After  three 
hours  of  useless  conflict  the  proud  Essex  surrendered,to  her  foes, 
with  the  loss  of  124  men  in  killed  and  wounded.  Her  Captain 
and  crew  were  paroled  and  sent  in  a  small  brig,  one  of  Captain 
Porter's  own  captures,  called  the  "  Little  Essex,"  to  the  United 
States.  When  approaching  New  York  harbor  they  were  inter- 
rupted by  an  English  armed  vessel  and  detained  for  days  regard- 
less of  their  parole.  Early  one  morning  Captain  Porter  took  to 
the  long  boat  with  as  many  men  as  she  could  carry.  They  were 
thirty  miles  at  sea,  yet  eluded  the  efforts  of  their  pursurers  to 
sink  them  with  shot  or  to  overtake  them,  and  landed  safely  on  the 
Long  Island  shore.  Ogden  came  home  on  leave,  and  in  full 
health  and  handsome  naval  suit,  he  was  the  admiration  of  some 
and  the  envy  of  others  who  had  been  his  companions  of  earlier 
days. 

In  mature  years  he  was  naval  commander  in  New  York 
harbor,  and  on  board  his  "  receiving  ship,"  the  North  Carolina, 
received  the  visits  of  noted  persons,  both  Americans  and  foreign- 
ers, lie  paid  a  lengthy  visit  to  Hamburg  in  1846,  and  a  year  or 
two  later  died  in  New  York  City.  He  was  distinguished  for  sea- 
manship as  well  as  for  gallantry  in  action.  Generous  and  impul- 
sive, he  was  often  entirely  self-forgetful.  Once  when  his  ship 
was  in  the  harbor  of  Gibraltar,  one  of  his  seaman  fell  overboard. 
In  a  moment  lie  leaped  after  the  sailor  and  sustained  him  above 
water  until  a  boat  could  be  lowered  and  come  to  their  rescue. 


HAMBURG    AND    PATERSON    TURNPIKE    ROAD.  Ill 

Hamburg  and  Paterson  Turnpike  Road.  Furnished  by  Hon. 
Thomas  Lawrence,  and  first  printed  in  the  New  Jersey  Herald. 

The  "  Hamburg  Turnpike  Boad  "  was  chartered  in  1806, 
while  Colonel  Joseph  Sharp  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature.  It 
was  first  constructed  from  Hamburg  to  Paterson,  and  was  subse- 
quently extended  to  Hoboken,  on  the  east,  and  Milford  on  the 
west,  from  which  it  connected  with  a  road  to  Bath,  N.  Y.,  form- 
ing an  important  outlet  for  the  Lake  country  and  Western  New 
York.  Its  route  across  Sussex  county  was  from  Stockholm,  by 
way  of  Hamburg,  Deckertown,  Libertyville  and  Brick  House  to 
Milford,  Pa.  Some  of  the  mile  stones  are  yet  standing,  announc- 
ing so  many  "  miles  to  Hoboken  or  Jersey  City."  The  former 
coaches  ran  with  four  horses,  and  made  three  weekly  trips,  on 
alternate  days,  bringing  mails  and  passengers.  The  arrival  of  the 
stage  was  an  important  event,  and  the  sound  of  the  driver's  horn 
announced  its  approach.  There  were  relays  of  horses  at  Captain 
Brown's,  New  Foundland,  and  at  Deckertown.  Deckertown  was 
the  extent  of  travel  for  one  day  from  New  York.  The  first  regu- 
lar meeting  for  organization  was  held  at  Stockholm,  January  1, 
1806.     The  proceedings  read  as  follows : 

"  At  a  meeting  of  a  number  of  gentlemen  from  the  towns  of 
Newark,  Acquaconack,  Paterson,  Pompton,  New  Foundland  and 
Hamburg,  on  the  first  day  of  January,  1806,  at  New  Foundland, 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  consideration  the  practicability  of 
erecting  a  Turnpike  road  from  Hamburg  through  Pompton  to 
Acquaconack,  from  thence  to  intersect  the  Turnpike  at  the  Cedar 
Swamp,  by  Schuyler's  mines.  Also  from  Bobert  Colfaxes  Corner 
in  as  straight  a  direction  to  the  town  of  New  Ark  as  the  ground 
will  admit  of;  also  for  extending  the  said  Turnpike  from  Ham- 
burg to  the  line  of  New  York,  or  the  Biver  Delaware,  in  order  to 
facilitate  the  traveling  from  the  western  country. 

Thomas  Lawrence,  Esq.,  in  the  chair.  The  following  reso- 
lutions were  agreed  to : 

1st — Resolved,  That  a  Turnpike  road  be  erected  from  Ham- 
burg to  Colfaxes  Corner,  from  thence  to  Acquaconack  so  as  to 
intersect  the  Turnpike  at  the  Cedar  Swamp.  Also  from  Bobert 
Colfaxes  to  New  Ark  on  the  best  direction  the  ground  will  admit 
of,  which  last  is  to  be  considered  as  a  separate  stock. 

2d — Resolved,  That  John  Linn,  of  Sussex,  Martin  Byerson,  of 
Bergen,  Abraham   Ackerman,  of  Acquaconack,  Esquires,  together 


112  HAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

with  a  gentleman  hereafter  to  be  chosen  by  the  citizens  of  New 
Ark  be  a  committee  to  attend  the  Legislature  at  Trenton,  in  Feb- 
ruary next,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  law  to  erect  the  said 
Turnpike. 

3d — Resolved,  That  the  above  Committee  procure  and  circu- 
late petitions  to  the  Legislature  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the 
above  law  which  shall  stipulate  Hamburg  as  the  place  where  the 
Turnpike  is  first  to  commence. 

4th — Resolved,  That  the  following  persons,  or  their  asso- 
ciates, be  appointed  to  secure  subscriptions  for  erecting  said  Turn- 
pike, to  wit:  Joseph  Sharp  and  John  Seward,  of  Sussex, 
Esquires,  Robert  Colfax  and  Martin  Ryerson,  of  Pompton, 
Esquires,  Charles  Kinsey,  Abraham  Godwin  and  Abraham  Van 
llouten,  of  Paterson,  Esquires,  Abraham  Aukerman  and  Garret 
Vanllouten,  Acquaconack,  Esquires,  John  Odle  Ford,  of  Morris 
county,  and  Jacob  Kenouse,  of  New  Foundland. 

5th — Resolved,  That  Major  Gordon,  of  Paterson,  get  inserted 
in  the  New  Ark  Centinel,  that  application  will  be  made  to  the 
Legislature  in  February  next  for  a  law  for  said  Turnpike. 

6th — Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  Turnpike  shall  be  desig- 
nated in  the  law  by  the  name  of  the  Hamburg  Turnpike. 

7th — Resolved,  That  Alexandria  McWhorton,  Esq.,  be 
requested  to  draft  a  Bill  to  be  presented  to  the  Legislature  in  Feb- 
ruary next  for  said  Turnpike,  and  Major  Gordon  is  hereby  desired 
to  take  the  execution  thereof  in  charge. 

8th — Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  eighty  thousand  dollars  be 
raised  for  the  purpose  of  making  said  Turnpike  from  Hamburg 
to  Acquaconack. 

9th — Resolved,  That  twenty-five  dollars  shall  be  the  price  of 
each  share. 

10th — Resolved,  That  one  dollar  on  each  share  be  paid  in 
advance  at  the  time  of  subscribing. 

11th — Resolved,  That  there  shall  be  nine  directors,  one  of 
whom  to  be  chosen  for  their  President,  and  five  to  make  a 
quorum. 

12th — Resolved,  That  every  subscriber  shall  be  entitled  to 
a  vote  for  each  share  subscribed,  to  the  number  of  ten,  and  for 
every  five  shares  over  that  number  one  vote. 

13th — Resolved,  That  the  hills  between  Hamburg  and  the 
Bergen  line  are  not  to  exceed  six  degrees  elevation  and  the  re- 
mainder part  of  the  road  not  to  exceed  five  degrees. 

14th — Resolved,  That  the  road  from  Hamburg  to  Acqua- 
conack shall  be  made  twenty-four  feet  wide. 

15th — Resolved,  That  the   Commissioners  to  lay   out   said 


HAMBURG    AND    PATERSON    TUBNPIKE    ROAD.  113 

road  shall  be  chosen  by  the  President  and  directors. 

16th — Resolved,  That  when  one  thousand  shares  are  signed 
for,  the  Committee  are  required  to  call  together  the  stockholders 
in  order  to  choose  directors.'' 

Thomas  Lawrence,  Esq.,  was  from  the  start,  one  of  the  most 
active  spirits  in  the  enterprise  and  was  a  director  in  1810,  as  shown 
by  the  notice  found  among  his  papers. 

May  8,  1810. 
Sin  : 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Stockholders  of  the  Patersort 
and  Hamburg  Turnpike  Company,  at  the  house  of  Martin  G. 
Ryerson,  Pompton,  this  day,  you  were  elected  one  of  the  Direc- 
tors for  the  present  year.  A  meeting  of  the  Directors  is  requested 
at  M.  G.  Ryerson's,  Pompton,  on  Monday  the  28  of  this  inst.,  at 
11  o'clock  forenoon  at  which  meeting  you  are  desired  to  attend. 

By  order  of  the  Directors, 

Martin  J.  Ryerson,  Pr. 
To  Thomas  Lawrence,  Esq. 

The  following  memorial  is  endorsed  "A  memorial  to  the  P- 
M.  General  from  the  citizens  of  Hamburg,  Stockholm,  Pompton, 
Paterson  and  Acquaconack,  on  the  subject  of  the  establishment  of 
Post  Offices  and  a  post  route  between  Hamburg  and  New  York  : 

"  To  Gideon  Granger,  Esquire,  Post  Master  General  of 
the  United  States,  at  the  City  of  Washington: 

"The  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  the  villages  of  Hamburg, 
Stockholm,  Pompton,  Paterson,  and  Acquanunck,  and  their  vicin- 
ity, in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  beg  leave  to  represent  that  a 
turnpike  road  has  lately  been  completed  from  Hamburg  through 
the  several  other  villages  to  the  city  of  New  York.  That  the  dis- 
tance thereby  to  the  city  has  been  much  shortened,  and  the  facil- 
ity for  traveling  greatly  improved.  That  the  citizens  residing  in 
and  near  the  villages  aforesaid  beg  leave  to  solicit  the  Post  Master 
General  to  favor  them  with  the  convenience  of  having  a  Post 
Office  established  at  the  villages  of  Stockholm,  Pompton,  Pater- 
son, and  Acquanunck,  of  which  they  have  heretofore  been  de- 
prived, and  consequently  has  subjected  them  to  very  great  incon- 
veniences, expense,  and  delay  in  their  communication  of  business 
with  the  city.  That  the  settlements  on  this  route  have  become 
very  populous,  and  the  business  transacted,  even  under  their  pres- 
ent privation  of  a  public  conveyance,  is  such  that  in  their  opinion 


114  UARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

it  would  add  very  considerably  to  the  revenue  of  the  postal  depart- 
ment. Your  memoralists  pray,  therefore,  that  you  will  take  their 
request  into  consideration,  and  grant  them  the  conveniences  they 
now  solicit. 


"They  beg  to  add  further  that  it  is  contemplated  to  commence 
running  a  stage  shortly  from  the  village  of  Hamburg  on  the  above 
route  to  New  York  City,  and  which  they  take  the  liberty  to  sug- 
gest to  the  P.  M.  G.,  under  the  idea  that  a  contract  may  possibly 
from  that  circumstance  be  made  with  more  economy  for  the  con- 
veyance of  the  mail,  and  that  the  distances  between  the  offices 
solicited  for  may  be  known,  your  memoralists  have  enjoined,  a 
schedule  of  the  places  and  the  distances  from  each  other,  and  from 
Hamburg  to  the  city  of  New  Yrork." 

The  road  was  completed  through  the  whole  extent  about  1810. 

Jersey  City  was  originally  called  Paulus  Hook.  The  Paulus 
Hook  Ferry  was  well  known  to  older  travellers,  and  the  crossing 
of  the  Hudson  River  was  a  matter  of  apprehension  with  the 
timid.  In  1802  there  were  only  thirteen  inhabitants  within  the 
limits  of  the  present  city,  exclusive  of  the  settlements  of  Bergen 
and  Communipaw.  Thomas  Lawrence  in  a  letter  written  in  180-t 
to    a  member  of  his  family  said  : 

"1  wish  to  entertain  you  with  all  the  news'  afloat,  and  an 
information  was  announced  to  me  last  night  that  will  be  new  and 
surprizing  to  you.  What  think  you  of  a  new  city,  to  be  called  the 
City  of  Jersey^  The  grounds  have  all  been  purchased,  on  a 
lease  of  999  years,  of  the  Dutchman,  the  proprietor.  This  has 
been  done  by  a  company  of  gentlemen  in  New  Y^ork.  The  lots, 
many  of  them,  have  been  laid  out,  and  many  sold.  The  plan  is 
to  be  similar  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  The  situation  is  ele- 
gant, and  the  salubrity  of  it  will  induce  its  speedy  settlement." 

It  was  incorporated  in  1820.  Gov.  Aaron  Ogden  moved 
there  in  1828,  and  was  made  Collector  of  Customs.  A  steam 
ferry  took  the  place  of  the  old  sail  boat. 

CUSTOMS  AM)    LOCAL    HISTORY. 

In  the  days  when  flax  was  raised  and  all  the  family  linen  was 
homespun,  it  was  the  custom  to  have  spinning  visits.  After  the 
flax  had  been  gathered  and  hatcheled,  it  was  divided  into  por- 


CUSTOMS    AJM1)    LOCAL    HISTORY.  115 

tions,  and  the  boys  would  go  out  on  horseback  to  carry  a  small 
bale  to  each  house.  The  girls  of  the  families  spun  the  flax,  and 
upon  invitation  assembled  on  a  given  evening  with  their  young 
friends  to  bring  in  their  hanks  of  thread,  and  have  a  gay  party. 
There  would  be  an  inspection  of  the  work  done,  and  some  of  the 
young  ladies  took  much  pride  in  spinning  fine  yarn  and  having  it 
uniform. 

All  the  appliances  for  carding  wool,  and  spinning  and  weav- 
ing wool  and  flax  were  common  in  many  houses.  The  ordinary 
winter  dress  of  the  females  was  often  of  colored  flannel.  The 
men  and  boys  wore  homespun  gray  suits  of  woolen  cloth.  Some- 
times, however,  the  cloth  was  dyed  a  butternut,  or  even  a  bright 
blue.  Their  shirts  were  of  coarse  linen  and  very  durable.  Home- 
manufactured  clothing  might  not  be  considered  handsome  in  our 
own  times,  but  it  was  serviceable,  and  much  more  lasting  than 
the  modern  garments.  The  patterns  for  cutting  out  the  clothes 
were  carefully  preserved  by  the  good  mothers. 

Tailors  were  found  in  the  large  towns,  but  few  in  earlier 
times  in  the  country.  When,  however,  broadcloths  and  cassimers 
began  to  be  imported,  lads  were  apprenticed  to  learn  the  tailor's 
trade.  Hamburg,  for  years,  supported  two  or  three  tailor  shops 
with  journeymen  and  apprentices.  Then  there  sprang  up  a  race 
of  sewing  women,  who  were  styled  "  tailoresses,"  and  went  out  to 
sew  upon  men's  garments  in  the  different  houses.  In  primitive 
times  a  calico  dress  was  considered  quite  a  luxury  with  many. 
Some  of  the  patterns  were  very  quaint  with  floral  designs  almost 
as  big  as  cabbages.  Chintz  curtains  were  hung  upon  the  high 
posts  of  the  best  bedsteads.  The  coverlets  were  blue  and  white, 
often  with  quite  pretty  designs.  They  antedated  the  patch  work 
quilt. 

The  early  settlers  made  themselves  moccasins  in  Indian  fash- 
ion, for  covering  their  feet,  with  the  addition  of  thick  leather  soles. 
When  tanneries  were  established,  families  sent  their  own  cow- 
hides and  calf-skins  from  which  their  boots  and  shoes  were  to  be 
made.  The  shoemaker  made  yearly  visits,  boarding  at  the  houses 
were  he  worked,  often  for  weeks  at  a  time,  until  the  whole 
household,  father,  mother,  boys  and  girls,  were  provided  for  the 


110  HARDY  STON    MEMORIAL, 

next  twelve  months.  Boots  and  shoes  were  commonly  not  made 
rights  and  lefts,  and  for  the  sake  of  economy  changed  from  foot  to  foot 
every  day  to  make  the  wear  uniform.  The  more  skillful  young 
men  could  repair  their  own  boots,  and  one  of  the  accomplishments 
of  a  good  house  wife  was  the  ability  to  put  on  a  neat  patch  for 
herself  and  her  children. 

A  shoemaker  named  Shadrach  kept  the  turnpike  gate  two 
miles  north  of  Hamburg,  and  for  many  years  spent  his  winters  in 
going  around  to  the  houses  where  his  services  were  required. 

Soap  and  candles  were  home  made.  It  was  a  busy  day  in  the 
house  when  the  soft  soap  was  made  for  the  yearly  supply.  So,  too, 
was  it,  when  the  tallow  candles  were  dipped. 

Most  hardware,  sixty  years  ago,  was  procured  from  the  black- 
smith. All  the  nails,  hinges,  door  latches,  and  common  locks, 
were  made  at  the  village  shop.  Every  blacksmith  made  his  own 
tools,  and  supplied  many  of  those  of  the  carpenter.  Farmers 
would  come  to  the  blacksmith  to  have  their  axes  and  sythes  made, 
and  their  plow  shares  pointed.  The  stores  sold  Jiollowware — i.  c. 
pots,  kettles,  etc. 

Upper  and  lower  Hamburg  from  early  times  have  each  had 
their  blacksmith  and  wheelwright  shops.  The  upper  blacksmith 
shop  was  long  run  by  Samuel  Woodhull,  commonly  called  *'  Uncle 
Sam  Odell."  He  was  a  devout  man,  a  good  Methodist,  although 
somewhat  noisy  in  meetings.  His  son,"  Bill  Odell,"  also  a  black- 
smith, was  the  village  poet  and  wit.  He  composed  many  verses 
and  often  gave  recitations  of  them  in  public  places.  Some  of  his 
compositions  were  comic  doggerel,  in  which  he  would  travesty 
the  words  and  speeches  of  his  townsmen,  and  describe  their  ways 
and  characters.  AVoe  to  the  man  against  whom  Bill  had  any 
grudge,  for  he  would  "  show  him  up,"  and  affix  a  nickname  never 
to  be  lost.  His  poems  never  went  to  the  printer,  and  the  words 
of  his  songs  are  now  lost.     "  Full  many  a  gem,  etc*" 

An  old  cannon,  of  somewhat  rough  casting,  was  handed 
down  from  revolutionary  times,  and  remained  for  many  years  in 
the  village.  In  was  dragged  out  on  general  training  days,  and 
used  on  occasions  of  national  rejoicing  and  political  victoiy.  It  was 
a  great  feature  at  the  Fourth  of  Julv  celebrations.     When  the  news 


CUSTOMS    AND    I.or.U.    HISTORY.  lit 

of  General  Jackson's  re-election  reached  the  place,  in  1832,  the  old 
cannon  was  used  in  firing  a  salute  of  one  gun  for  each  state  of  the 
Union.  In  the  rapidity  of  the  firing  the  piece  became  heated,  and  the 
loading  was  attended  with  some  danger.  It  was  necessary  to  ex- 
clude the  air  from  the  powder  as  it  was  put  in.  A  man  was  hold- 
ng  his  thumb  upon  the  touch  hole  for  this  purpose,  while  two 
others  were  ramming  down  the  charge.  The  hot  iron  burned  the 
man's  thumb,  and  made  him  flinch,  so  that  air  was  let  in,  and  an 
explosion  took  place.  One  of  the  gunners  was  Coonrod  Welch,  son 
of  .Jacob,  who  was  badly  burned  in  the  breast,  his  left  arm  torn  away, 
and  the  thumb  taken  from  his  right  hand.  He  recovered,  how- 
ever, and  with  one  hand,  and  that  maimed,  continued  to  work  at 
his  trade,  gaining  quite  a  local  reputation  for  making  grain 
cradles  and  axe  handles. 

.V  swarm  of  ^Krolites,  or  shooting  stars,  appeared  throughout 
the  country  on  the  night  of  November  12th  and  loth,  1833.  Pro- 
fessor Ohustead,  of  New  Haven,  estimated  that  240,000  fell  in 
the  space  of  nine  hours.  The  inhabitants  of  our  town  observed 
the  storm  of  fire,  and  not  without  alarm  as  portentous  of  some 
great  change  that  might  affect  the  duration  of  the  globe,  or  the 
conditions  of  life  upon  it. 

The  winter  of  1835  and  183G  is  spoken  of  as  the  most  severe 
ever  known  in  this  region.  ( )n  the  20th  of  November  the  snow 
commenced  falling,  and  the  storm  continued  for  three  days.  The 
depth  of  snow,  with  accumulations  from  succeeding  storms, 
was  from  four  to  live  feet  upon  the  level.  This  was  followed  by 
continuous  cold  weather,  so  that  the  snow  covered  the  ground  for 
five  months,  until  the  latter  part  of  April.  Travel  was  impeded,, 
and  the  labor  of  opening  the  public  roads  was  very  great.  Com- 
panies of  men  on  horseback  were  formed  to  ride  though  and 
break  the  tracks.  Most  of  the  fences  were  out  of  sight,  and  the 
road  breakers  were  not  at  all  particular  in  keep  to  the  highway, 
but  passed  anywhere  through  the  fields  where  the  snow  was  light- 
est. At  intervals  there  were  side  tracks  or  switches  broken  to 
enable  sleds  to  pass  each  other.  Accilents  upon  the  roads  were 
of  common  occurrence.  Teams  would  be  stalled,  horses  fall  down, 
and  become  exhausted  with  a  few  miles  driving.     Paths  were 


118  HARDYSTON  MEMORIAL. 

shovelled  from  the  barns  to  the  streams  for  the  watering  of  the 
stock,  and  to  the  hay  stacks.  Often  the  weaker  would  be  thrust 
into  the  snow  by  the  stronger  cattle,  and  the  farmers  were  obliged 
to  draw  them  out  and  lift  them  to  their  feet  again.  Many  cows 
and  sheep  died.  Sheds  were  not  then  commonly  provided  for  the 
dairy,  but  the  cows  were  foddered  to  a  large  extent  in  the  barn 
yards.  Families  were  shut  in  for  weeks.  Many  were  in  want  of 
firewood,  and  were  forced  to  cut  down  the  shade  trees  around 
their  dwellings  for  fuel.  The}'  cut  the  trees  to  the  level  of  the 
top  of  the  snow,  and  when  the  snow  finally  disappeared,  the 
stumps  left  were  five  feet  high.  The  supply  of  provisions  with 
many  families  ran  very  low.  It  was  difficult  to  carry  grain  to  the 
mills,  and  some  were  without  flour  for  days  together.  It  was 
equally  difficult  to  reach  the  stores  and  purchase  groceries.  Our 
mails  were  brought  by  stage  from  Paterson,  but  the  route  was 
completely  blocked  for  a  long  time. 

About  L820  there  was  a  considerable  immigration  to  the 
Lake  country  in  central  and  western  New  York.  The  immigrant 
wagons  camped  on  the  field  above  the  Lawrence  hill,  which  be- 
came quite  a  recognized  halting  place  for  the  night. 

In  the  years  of  183G  and  1837  there  was  a  great  exodus  of 
families  to  the  western  States,  especially  to  Illinois  and  Missouri. 
Some  thirty-five  families  went  out  from  the  bounds  of  the  Xorth 
ilardyston  congregation,  and  the  church  was  necessarily  very 
much  weakened.  In  the  fall  of  1S36  long  strings  of  wagons 
loaded  with  household  goods  and  farming  utensils,  and  carrying 
the  families  of  the  settlers,  were  seen  on  their  way  passing  to 
Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  and  thence  to  what  was  regarded  as  the 
far  West.  Some  were  months  in  reaching  their  destination  near 
the  Mississippi  River.  Those  who  were  overtaken  by  winter, 
suffered  terribly  in  the  tedious  journey.  They  passed  through 
regions  sparsely  settled,  with  the  people  poor  and  having  small 
supplies  for  their  own  use  and  little  to  sell  to  strangers.  When 
the  settlers  reached  their  new  homes  the  manner  of  living  was 
very  different  from  that  of  their  former  abodes.  Young  children 
died  and  delicate  mothers  pined  away  under  the  hard  conditions 
of  prairie  life.     Yet,  the  thrifty  in  the  course  of  years  established 


CUSTOMS    AND    LOCAL    HISTORY.  119 

comfortable  homes  and  lived  in  plenty.  Some,  from  the  rise  of 
their  lands  in  value,  became  wealthy.  It  is  said  of  one  family 
that  they  loaned  all  their  money,  $600,  and  when  the  borrower 
failed,  they  felt  it  a  great  hardship  that  they  received  only  a  piece 
of  prairie  land.  In  the  course  of  years  the  city  of  St.  Louis  ex- 
tended around  and  over  their  property  and  the  younger  generation 
have  been  living  in  affluence  from  the  sale  of  their  city  lots,  and 
the  rentals  of  portions  of  their  inheritance. 

A  strange  halucination  of  the  times  was  the  expectation  of 
great  wealth  from  the  raising  of  silk.  It  was  believed  that  a  new 
industry  had  been  introduced,  more  profitable  to  farmers  than  the 
raising  of  grain  and  making  of  butter.  Whole  ship  loads  of  young 
trees  and  cuttings  of  the  white  Italian  and  morus-multicaulus  mul- 
berries were  imported,  and  fields  planted  with  the  worthless 
growth.  Silkworms  eggs  were  brought  from  southern  Europe  and 
the  East,  and  sold  all  over  the  country.  Men,  women  and  boys 
gathered  leaves  and  fed  the  worms,  which  were  hatched  by  expos- 
ing the  eggs  to  warmth  and  the  rays  of  the  sun.  The  amount  of 
silk  was  so  inconsiderable  and  of  so  little  value  for  manufacture, 
that  the  speculation  died  out  as  speedily  as  it  had  sprung  up. 
The  descendants  of  the  foreign  trees  are  still  occasionally  seen, 
the  vestiges  of  the  short-lived  scheme.  Some  importers  of  the  trees 
made  great  fortunes,  but  many  more  who  embarked  in  the  enter- 
prise lost  heavily. 

After  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain  there  was  great  pov- 
erty throughout  the  country.  The  national  resources  were  in  a 
deplorable  condition.  There  was  little  money  in  circulation  and 
great  business  depression.  Farm  products  brought  low  prices  and 
our  community  suffered  in  common  with  other  places.  Then 
came  a  reaction,  and  business  was  conducted  upon  the  credit  sys- 
tem. Paper  money  and  promises  to  pay  took  the  place  of  coin. 
jSo  one  thought  of  paying  in  actual  money.  The  United  States 
Bank  came  into  operation,  and  the  State  Legislatures  chartered 
banks  for  almost  every  town.  Our  own  village  had  its  charter 
entitled  "  An  Act  to  incorporate  the  Hamburg  Bank,"  passed  by 
the  Legislature  in  1837.  Fortunately,  perhaps,  as  it  was  ready  to 
go  into  operation,  some  occurrences  delayed  organization,  and  its 


120  [IAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

bills  never  went  into  circulation.  Some  of  these  State  Banks  were 
conducted  honestly,  but  too  many,  with  small  assets  in  their 
vaults,  issued  their  bills  and  sent  them  broadcast  wherever  they 
could  dispose  of  them,  (living  and  endorsing  of  notes  was  the 
common  practice.  Long  credits  were  given  and  payments  made 
in  written  promises  to  pay  after  so  many  days  from  date.  Upon 
these  principles  trade  was  very  active.  Many  were  induced  to 
make  purchases,  because  the  pay  day  might  be  so  indefinitely 
postponed.  The  Philosopher's  stone,  which  John  Randolph  de- 
clared, he  had  found  comprehended  in  four  words,"  Pay  as  you  go,'" 
was  lost  sight  of.  Sales  were  made,  property  exchanged  owners, 
and  real  estate  rose  very  high.  Speculation  of  all  kind  was  rife. 
Town  lots  were  staked  off  and  cities  grew  upon  paper.  Many 
men  were  suddenly  accounted  wealthy,  and  reckoned  their  imag- 
inary wealth  by  the  thousands  and  hundred  of  thousands  of  dol- 
lars. 

This  insecure  basis  could  not  stand  however,  and  in  due  time 
the  bubble  burst.  When  inflation  came  to  its  end,  it  scattered 
dismay  on  every  side.  The  charter  of  the  United  States  Bank  ex- 
pired in  1830,  and  was  renewed  bv  authority  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania. It  suspended  specie  payment  in  I80T,  a  measure  fol- 
lowed with  few  exceptions  by  all  the  banks  throughout  the  coun- 
try. These  suspensions  were  followed  by  disastrous  consequences 
to  many.  Failures  and  bankruptcy  spread  through  business  cir- 
cles. ( 'redit  ceased  as  notes  went  to  protest,  and  men  were  una- 
ble to  meet  their  obligations.  Many  who  believed  themselves 
secure  in  their  possessions,  awoke  to  see  that  their  riches  had  taken 
wings  and  they  were  penniless.  Manufacturing  ceased  and  work- 
men were  thrown  out  of  employment. 

Snitfftown,  as  narrated  by  Col.  .Joseph  Sharp,  received  its 
name  from  liquor  being  sold  on  the  top  of  the  mountain,  the  men 
who  went  there  to  have  their  jugs  filled  called  it  "  going  to  buy 
snuff."  Then  a  set  of  men  frequented  it  for  their  frolics  and 
called  it  "  Snufftown.'"  So  that  "going  to  Snufftown  "  was  equiv- 
alent to  going  on  a  drinking  carouse.  The  name  still  adheres  to 
the  locality  from  old  usage,  although  the  railroad  station  and  Post 
Office  are  called   Stockholm,  from  the  iron   works  which   were 


CUSTOMS    AND    LOCAL    HISTORY.  121 

formerly  carried  on  a  little  farther  down  on  the  Pequannock 
stream. 

The  name  of  the  river  Pequannock  means,  in  the  Indian  lan- 
guage, the  dark  or  black  creek.  The  whole  range  of  the  Ham- 
burg Mountains  was  called  by  the  Indians  "  Wa-wa-gan-da," 
which  is  still  applied  to  a  part  of  the  range,  with  the  change  of  a 
single  letter,  making  Wawayanda. 

Yery  near  the  county  line,  on  the  Pequannock  River,  stood 
the  "  Windham  forge,"  and  a  little  farther  up  stood  the  "  New 
Snufttosvn  forge."'  Then  on  the  Seward  branch  stood  the  forge, 
grist  mill  and  saw  mill  of  Stephen  Ford  Margerum. 

Podiunk  is  said  to  have  been  the  name  of  an  Indian  chief, 
from  whom  the  mountain  was  called.  The  termination  unh  is 
frequent  with  Indian  names  of  mountains,  as  Monunka  Chunk, 
Musconetcunk,  Shawangunk,  and  others  in  New  York  and  Penn- 
sylvania. 


CHAPTER  VII J. 


MEXICAN    AND    CIVIL    WARS 


Hardyston  bad  little  part  in  the  Mexican  Wak. 

Fowler  Hamilton,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Sally  Hamilton, 
was  a  graduate  of  the  West  Point  Military  Academy.  He  served 
with  distinction  under  General  Taylor  and  General  Scott,  rose  to 
the  rank  of  Major  in  the  Regular  Army,  and  died  while  on  duty 
in  Texas,  after  the  war. 

Wallace  C.  Collett  was  a  student  at  law  in  Hamburg 
when  the  war  broke  out.  He  returned  to  Paterson,  his  native 
place,  and  raised  a  Volunteer  Company,  who  chose  him  Captain. 
He  took  his  company  to  Texas  and  served  in  several  battles  under 
General  Taylor.  A  Lieutenant  from  Orange  Co.  challenged  him 
to  a  duel,  in  which  he  was  killed.  His  brother  was  Colonel  Mark 
"W.  Collett,  of  the  1st  X.  J.  Volunteers,  who  fell  while  gallantly 
leading  his  regiment  at  Salem  Heights,  Va.,  May  3d,  18G3. 

Mr.  Edsall,  our  Member  of  Congress  from  this  District,  had 
obtained  promise  from  President  Polk,  that  if  a  company  was 
raised  here  it  would  be  accepted  and  the  officers  he  nominated 
commissioned.  The  company  was  raised,  but  the  officers  did  not 
receive  their  commissions,  and  nothing  came  from  the  enlistments, 
much  to  the  disappointment  of  our  young  men. 


HARDYSTON    IX    THE    CIVIL    WAR.  123 

HAKDYSTON  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR. 

With  the  national  uprising  that  followed  the  assault  upon 
Fort  Sumpter,  our  section  fully  sympathized.  A  few  of  the 
yoBDg  men  entered  the  three  months  service  of  the  first  volunteers, 
but  most  of  those  who  desired  to  go  found  the  ranks  of  the  New 
Jersey  quota  already  filled.  The  defeat  of  Bull  Run  had  very 
marked  effect  in  arousing  patriotic  feeling.     Soon  after  August, 

1861,  Thomas  R.  Haines  was  authorized  to  recruit  men  for  the 
New  Jersey  Cavalry  Regiment  which  was  being  raised.  Meet- 
ings were  held  and  addresses  made  in  school  houses  and  public 
places,  and  in  a  short  time  the  required  number  enlisted,  and 
formed  Co.  K.  1st  Regiment,  New  Jersey  Cavalry.  Haines  de- 
ferred his  claims  to  the  captaincy  of  this  company  in  favor  of  his 
friend,  Virgil  Brodvick,  and  accepted  the  1st  lieutenantcy. 

Company  M.  of  the  same  regiment  was  also  mainly  recruited 
here,  and  Haines  was  subsequently  made  its  Captain. 

In  the  pursuit  of  Jackson  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  the  1st 
N.  J.  Cavalry  was  placed  in  the  advance.     On  the  6th  of  June, 

1862,  Colonel  Windham,  contrary  to  orders,  advanced  his  com- 
mand beyond  his  supports  and  fell  into  an  ambuscade  at  Harrison- 
burg, Va.  He  was  himself  with  a  number  of  officers  and  men 
captured,  and  Captain  Haines  was  killed. 

Lieutenant  Alansox  Austin  was  at  the  time  of  his  enlist- 
ment a  clerk  in  a  Newton  store.  He  was  a  cousin  of  Captain 
Haines,  and  commissioned  2d  Lieutenant  of  Co.  M.  At  the  bat- 
tle of  Cedar  Mountain  August  9th,  1862,  he  was  struck  by  a  shell 
which  took  oft*  his  right  leg.  He  was  carried  to  the  rear,  but  soon 
afterwards  expired  with  patriotic  sentiments  upon  his  lips,  and 
asking  Chaplain  Pency  to  pray  with  him. 

Virgil  Brodrick,  born  near  Lafayette,  was  clerk  for  some 
time  in  a  store  in  Hamburg,  and  afterwards  at  Newton.  He 
served  as  private  in  the  first  three  months  volunteers,  and  was 
made  Captain  of  Co.  K.  1st  N.  J.  Cavah\y.  He  passed  through 
many  battles,  showing  great  courage,  rose  to  the  rank  of  Lieut. 
Colonel,  and  was  in  command  of  the  regiment  at  the  battle  of 
Brandy  Station,  Va.,  June  9th,  1863,  leading  his  men  in  a  charge 


124  HABDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

upon  the  enemy's  camp  at  daylight.  He  was  struck  by  a  bullet 
and  fell  almost  at  the  entrance  to  the  tent  of  General  J.  E.  B. 
Stuart,  and  was  buried  in  Virginia. 

The  1st  N.  J.  Cavalry  Regiment  participated  in  nearly  one  hun- 
dred fights  during  the  four  years  of  the  war.  Few  organizations  have 
left  a  more  honorable  record.  Companies  Iv.  &  M.  poured  out  their 
blood  on  the  numerous  battle  fields,  and  left  many  of  their  fallen 
to  slumber  in  southern  soil.  Survivors  still  bear  the  scars  of  their 
honorable  warfare,  and  it  is  their  glory  that  they  belonged  to  this 
regiment. 

The  handsome  monument,  erected  by  the  State  of  New  Jer- 
sey on  the  Rummel  farm,  near  Gettysburg,  to  the  memory  of 
the  fallen  of  this  regiment,  has  inscribed  upon  it  the  names  of  the 
three  officers  above  mentioned. 

Under  the  President's  call  of  July  7th,  1862,  for  three  hun- 
dred thousand  volunteers,  three  companies  were  raised  in  Sussex 
County  for  the  15th  Regiment  N.  J.  Infantry.  Co.  D.  was  re- 
cruited in  Lafayette,  Co.  I.  in  Newton,  and  Co.  K.  in  Hardyston. 

Samuel  Fowler,  of  Franklin  Furnace,  was  appointed  Colo- 
nel. He  commanded  the  regiment  until  after  its  arrival  at 
Bakersville,  Md.,  where  it  was  brigaded  in  the  1st  Brigade  N.  J. 
troops,  1st  Division,  6th  Army  Corps.  At  this  place  Colonel 
Fowler  was  stricken  with  typhoid  fever,  and  when  the  army 
moved  across  the  Potomac  into  Virginia  he  was  left  behind  under 
the  care  of  Surgeon  Sharp.  From  this  attack  he  never  fully  re- 
covered. For  a  time  he  resumed  his  command,  but  was  by  ill 
health  forced  to  resign  his  commission  March  6th,  1863. 

Colonel  Fowler  was  born  at  Franklin,  in  1S18,  and  inherited 
many  traits  of  character  from  his  father,  Dr.  Samuel  Fowler.  His 
mother  was  Rebecca  Wood  Piatt,  daughter  of  Robert  Ogden  3d, 
of  Ogdensburg.  lie  was  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  further  enlist- 
ments, and  his  influence  was  largely  felt  in  gathering  the  com- 
panies which  nis  county  and  State  sent  into  the  field.  He  studied 
law  with  Governor  Haines,  was  admitted  to  practice,  but  never 
continuously  followed  his  profession.  lie  was  naturally  eloquent, 
and  gifted  with  a  degree  of  personal  magnetism,  which  had  great 
power  to  sway   an  audience.     Leaving  the  army,  he  retired  to  his 


LIARDYBTON    IX    THE    CIVIL    WAR.  125 

home  at  Franklin.  Chosen  to  the  State  Legislature,  he  insisted 
upon  being  taken  from  a  sick  bed  to  make  the  journey  to  Trenton 
He  was  present  at  the  organization  of  the  House  of  Assembly,  in 
the  discharge  of  what  he  regarded  as  a  duty,  and  was  taken  back 
to  his  hotel,  where  he  shortly  breathed  his  last,' January,  1865. 
His  funeral  was  attended  by  the  Legislature  in  a  body,  and  he 
was  buried  at  North  Church  Cemetery. 

Lieutenant  John  Fowler  was  a  brother  of  the  Colonel,  and 
the  youngest  son  of  Dr.  Samuel  Fowler,  born  at  Franklin  1825. 
He  first  entered  the  military  service  as  2d  Lieutenant  Co.  K., 
1st  N.  J.  Cavalry.  lie  resigned  his  commission  in  the  Cav- 
alry, and  upon  the  organization  of  the  15th  X.  J.  Vols,  was 
appointed  2d  Lieutenant  Co.  K.,  and  promoted  1st  Lieuten- 
ant of  same  company,  lie  was  in  charge  of  the  ambulance 
train,  but  anticipating  the  moving  of  the  army,  had  some 
days  before  requested  to  be  returned  to  his  regment.  He 
came  back  only  to  sacrifice  his  life,  and  to  be  killed  by  a 
bullet  shot  just  before  sundown  in  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights, 
Ya.,  May  3d,  1883.  A  comrade  wrote  :  "  He  was  in  the  thickest 
of  the  fight,  leading  his  company,  when  he  was  struck  by  a 
minnie  ball  in  the  left  side  of  the  breast,  and  with  a  single  excla- 
mation fell  to  the  ground,  and  lay  perfectly  motionless.  At  this 
moment  we  were  ordered  to  fall  back,  and  were  obliged  to  leave 
our  wounded  and  dead  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy/'  His  body 
was  never  recovered  from  the  battle  Held.  A  handsome  cenotapli 
is  erected  to  his  memory  in  North  Church  Cemetery. 

John  P.  Fowler,  born  Nov.  13th,  1813,  nephew  of  Dr. 
Samuel  Fowler,  was  Captain  of  Co.  M.  1st  N.  J.  Cavalry,  but  re- 
signed his  commission  and  accepted  the  appointment  of  Sergeant- 
Major  of  the  15th  N.  J.  Vols.  A  brave  and  gallant  man, 
his  name  was  the  first  placed  on  the  list  for  promotion  to  a  com- 
mission in  the  regiment.  A  railroad  bank  below  Fredricksburg 
had  been  captured  by  a  part  of  the  N.  J.  Brigade,  on  the  after- 
noon of  December  13th,  1862.  Fearless  of  danger  he  stood  upon 
the  track,  rendering  himself,  a  tall  man,  a  conspicuous  mark  for 
the  enemy's  sharp-shooters.  A  bullet  struck  him  in  the  thigh, 
severing  a  large  artery.     In  the  confusion    of  the  moment  it  was 


126  1IARDVSTON    MEMORIAL. 

impossible  to  stay  the  flow  of  blood,  and  he  expired  in  a  few  min- 
utes. He  was  buried  at  evening ;  and  as  wre  were  recrossing  the 
Rappahannock  two  days  later,  his  cousin,  Col.  Fowler,  arrived,  his 
body  was  taken  up,  sent  to  Washington  for  embalment,  and  to 
Hamburg  for  burial.  ( )n  his  tomb  is  inscribed  :  "  He  fell  gal- 
lantly fighting  for  the  constitution,  the  union,  and  the  enforce- 
ment of  the  laws." 

Henry  M.  Fowler  was  the  second  son  of  Sergeant  Major 
Fowler,  born  near  Hamburg  in  1846.  He  was  sixteen  years  old 
when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K.  15th  N.  J.  Vols.  Upon  the  death  of 
the  father  the  Governor  gave  the  commission  intended  for  him  to 
his  son,  who  was  made  2d  Lieutenant  Co.  G.  He  was  wounded 
and  captured  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12th,  1864.  After  a 
painful  experience  of  the  hardships  and  cruelties  of  Southern 
prisons,  he  made  his  escape  from  the  cars  as  a  large  body  of 
prisoners  were  being  transported  to  another  place  of  confinement. 
By  a  romantic  series  of  adventures  and  deliverances  in  the  moun- 
tains and  swamps,  he  at  last  reached  the  Union  lines  in  Tennessee . 
He  returned  to  the  regiment  and  received  his  second  promotion  to 
be  captain  of  Co.  A.  After  the  war  he  served  in  the  regular 
army,  and  lost  his  life  some  years  later  in  New  Orleans  during  the 
prevalence  of  the  yellow  fever.  He  fell  a  victim  to  his  sense  of 
duty,  refusing  to  leave  his  post,  where  he  had  charge  of  the  large 
city  cemetery.  His  memory  wf.s  honored  by  a  meeting  largely 
attended  by  Confederate  and  Union  officers  in  the  city,  who  paid 
all  the  expenses  of  his  burial  and  sent  his  orphan  children  to  the 
North. 

Martin  ( '.  Van  Gelder  was  ( )rderly  Sergeant  of  Co.  K.  15th 
N.  J.  Vols.  He  was  born  at  Hamburg  about  1835,  and  was  liv- 
ing at  Deckertown,  when  he  enlisted.  He  was  mortally  wounded 
at  sunset  in  the  battle  of  May  8th,  1863,  at  Spottsylvania,  Va., 
and  fell  within  the  enemies  lines,  but  after  dark  some  of  his  com- 
rades reached  him  and  brought  him  oft'  in  a  blanket.  As  they 
carried  him  in,  he  said,  "Tell  my  wife  I  die  happy,  Jesus  is  my 
Savior."  He  suffered  great  agonv  from  a  wound  in  the  breast 
and  could  not  lie  down  without  causing  the  blood  to  flow  afresh. 
( )n   the   19th    of  May  he  died  in    the    hospital  at    Fredericks- 


HARDYSTON    IN    THE    CIVIL    WAR.  127 

burg. 

Among  others  of  Co.  K.,  who  fell  in  battle,  or  died  from 
wounds  were : 

James  Cassidy,  Corporal  of  the  Color  Guard,  born  at  Ham- 
burg 1835,  wounded  at  Spottsylvania,  May,  8th  1864,  and  died 
May  22d.     Buried  at  Fredericksburg,  Va. 

Chileon  II.  Brown,  Corporal,  born  near  Hamburg  1812, 
killed  at  Fisher's  Hill,  Va.,  September  22d,  1864,  and  buried  on 
battle  field. 

Franklin  S.  Bishop,  24  years  old,  killed  at  Salem  Heights, 
May  3d,  1863,  body  never  recovered. 

Monmouth  Boyd,  born  near  Hamburg,  1843,  died  June  8th, 
1864,  from  wounds  received  May  8th,  at  Spottsylvania,  Va., 
buried  at  Arlington. 

Isaac  Byram,  killed  at  Cedar  Creek,  October  19th,  1864, 
buried  at  Winchester. 

Seaman  Conklin,  25  years  old,  killed  at  Spottsylvania,  May 
8th,  1S64  buried  on  battle  field. 

Andrew  J.  Doyle,  born  at  Franklin,  1844.  He  had  been 
twice  badly  wounded,  and  preferred  to  return  to  his  regiment 
rather  than  be  transferred  to  the  Invalid  Corps.  He  came  back 
from  the  hospital  a  short  time  before  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek, 
Va.,  in  which  he  was  killed  by  a  shell,  which  struck  oft*  his  head? 
October  19th,  1864.  He  was  buried  by  his  comrades  near  the 
spot  where  he  fell. 

Lewis  L.  Kent,  Corporal,  was  a  shoemaker  at  Hamburg,  born 
1823.  When  the  Sixth  Corps  withdrew  from  the  south  bank  of 
the  Rappahannock,  on  the  night  of  June  13th,  1863,  the  passage 
across  the  river  was  effected  so  quietly  that  numbers  of  our  soldiers 
were  not  aware  of  it  until  the  bridge  was  taken  up.  In  a  shelter 
tent  under  the  bank  were  sleeping  privates  Albert  Fowler,  Hiram 
C.  Sands,  and  Kent.  In  the  morning  they  found  themselves 
prisoners  and  were  marched  off  to  Richmond.  They  were  shortly 
after  exchanged,  and  Kent  came  home  on  a  furlough.  In  the 
charge  at  Spottsylvania  May  12th,  1864,  he  was  instantly  killed  by 
a  bullet  wound  in  the  breast,  and  buried  on  the  field  three  days 
after  the  battle,  near  the  Salient  (Bloody  Angle). 


128  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

Andrew  Lambert,  23  years  old,  killed  at  Salem  Heights, Va., 
May  3d,  1863.     Body  not  recovered. 

Bowdewine  Meddalgh,  nineteen  years  old,  died  at  Alexan- 
dria, Va.,  June  7th,  from  wounds  received  May  12th,  1861.  at 
Spottsylvania,  buried  in  National  Cemetery. 

Sidney  N.  Monks,  born  at  SnufFtown  in  1810,  killed  in  the 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6th,  1861,  and  buried  on  the  battle  field. 

Daniel  O'Leary  died  May  11th,  from  wounds  received  at 
Salem  Heights  May  3d,  1863,  buried  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Eli  D.  VanCIorden,  of  Wantage,  born  1S12,  killed  at  Salem 
Church,  Va.,  May  3d,  1863,  body  not  recovered. 

Barney  A^  an  Orden,  of  Hamburg,  aged  11,  killed  at  Salem 
Church,  Va.,  May  3d,  1863,  body  not  recovered. 

Charles  A.  Zeek,  aged  25,  killed  at  Salem  Church  May  3d, 
1S63,  body  not  recovered. 

Obadiah  P.  Lantz.  Co  1..  15  N.  1.  Vols.,  aged  21,  and 
Joseph  W.  Stonaback,  Co.  D.,  15  X.  J.Vols.,  aged  21,  died  from 
typhoid  fever,  in  the  army,  in  1S63.  Their  remains  were 
brought  home  and  buried  in  North  Church  Cemetery. 

List  of  soldiers  buried  in  Hardyston  : 

AT  NORTH  CHURCH  CEMETERY. 

1.  Samuel  Fowler,  Colonel  15  Regiment  N.  J.  Vols. 

2.  Thomas  R.  Haines,  Captain  Co.  M.,  1st  Regt.  N.  J. 
Cav. 

3.  Cenotaph  to  John  Fowler,  Lieutenant  Co.  X.,  15th  N. 
J.  Vols. 

1.  Henry  O.  Fowler,  Co.  11.,  37th  N.  J.  Vols, 

5.  George  W.  Doland,  Co.  M.,  1st  N.  J.  Cav. 

6.  Charles  Price,  Co.  M.,  1st  N.  J.  Cav. 

7.  Nathaniel   I).    Martin,  Corporal    Co.  X.,  1st  N.  J.   Cav. 

8.  Thomas  J.  Lewis,  Sergeant  Co.  X.,  1st  N.  J.  Cav. 

9.  Obadiah  P.  Lantz,  Co.  L,  15th  N.  J.  Vols. 

10.  Joseph  W.  Stonaback,  Co.  D.,  15th  N.  J.  Vols. 

11.  William  Lozaw,  Co.  K.,  15th  N.  J.  Vols. 

12.  Daniel  Everman,  Co.  X.,  15th  N.  J.  Vols. 

13.  John  E.  Congleton,  Sergeant  Co.   D.,    27tli  N.  J.  A'ols. 


HARDYSTON    INK    TH    CIVIL    WAR.  129 

14.  John  Cassady,  Co.  II.,  27th  X.  J.  Vols. 

15.  Nelson  Mabee,  Co.  D.,  27th  N.  J.  Vols. 

16.  Searing  Wade,  Co.  I).,  27th  N.  J.  Vols. 

17.  Joel  Campbell, Penn.  Vols. 

is.     James  McDaniels,  16th  N".  Y.  Independent  Battery. 

19.  Matthew  Babcock,  Co.  B.,  124  X.  Y.  Vols. 

20.  Martin  Wright. 

AT    HAMBURG. 

21.  John  P.  Fowler,  Sergeant  Major  15th  N.  J.  Arols. 

22.  Daniel  W.  Tinkey,  N.  Y.  Engineers. 


CHAPTEE  IX. 

EAKLY  CHURCHES. 

In  1738  the  population  of  New  Jersey  was  less  than  fifty 
thousand,  and  that  of  Sussex  County  between  five  and  six  hun- 
dred. "  At  that  time  there  was  not  a  school  house  or  a  meeting 
house  within  the  limits  of  territory  comprising  the  present  coun- 
ties of  Sussex  and  Warren."     [Edsall.] 

The  Hollanders,  in  the  Minisink  region,  selected  from  their 
own  people  a  youth  of  talent,  sixteen  years  of  age,  John  Casper 
Fryenmoet,  whom  they  sent  for  education  to  Holland.  They 
paid  his  expenses  for  four  years,  and  upon  his  return  in  1741, 
erected  four  buildings  for  his  use.  These  were  the  Mahackemack 
Church,  now  Port  Jervis,  the  Minisink  in  Montague,  the  Wal- 
pack,  and  the  Smithfield  in  Pennsylvania. 

The  first  Greenwich  Presbyterian  Church  was  built  of  logs 
previous  to  1744,  in  which  James  Campbell  preached,  and  also 
David  Brainerd,  when  in  the  vicinity. 

Peter  John  Bernhard  and  Casper  Schaeffer,  his  son-in-law, 
were  Germans,  who  came  in  1742  from  Philadelphia  to  Stillwa- 
ter. With  other  Germans  they  formed  a  congregation  and 
appropriated  a  plot  of  ground  for  burial  purposes,  and  for  a 
church  site.  Mr.  Bernhard  died  in  1748,  and  his  was  the  first 
interment  in  the  new  cemetery.  A  church  building  was  erected 
In  1771.  The  congregation  was  German  Reformed  in  its  con- 
nection, and  was  subsequently  merged  into  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Newton. 


KARLY    CHURCHES.  131 

Edsall  says :  "  in  1TC9  Newton  contained  an  Episcopal 
congregation  ;  about  the  same  time  a  German  congregation  was 
gathered,  and  a  Presbyterian  congregation  was  soon  brought 
together."  The  congregations  at  Newton  had  no  church  buildings 
for  a  long  time  afterwards,  and  their  membership  was  small. 
After  the  Court  House  was  erected  the  Presbyterians  held  servi- 
ces in  it  until  their  church  was  built  in  1787  ;  and  there  also  the 
Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  the  Episcopal  minister,  preached  from  1771 
until  his  removal  in  1779. 

The  church  at  Beemer  Meeting  House  was  organized  by  set- 
tlers from  Connecticut.  Its  government  at  first  was  Presbyterian 
inform,  but  afterwards  it  united  with  the  Connecticut  Association 
and  became  congregational.  Its  earliest  pastor  wTas  A.  Augustine, 
of  whom  little  is  known.  The  second  was  Jabez  Colver,  who  was 
accused  of  Toryism  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  after  the 
conflict  removed  to  Canada,  having  served  this  church  for  thirty 
years.  There  the  government  gave  him  a  large  tract  of  land.  He 
held  extensive  landed  property  in  Sussex  County,  and  Culver's 
(iap,  and  Culver's  Pond  were  probably  named  for  him.  His  suc- 
cessor was  Rev.  Mr.  Seely,  a  godly  man,  who  visited  in  Hardy s- 
ton,  and  occasionally  preached  and  administered  the  sacraments  in 
the  Gary  Meeting  House.  Mr.  Kanouse,  in  1844,  says  of  him  : 
"  He  was  a  good  man,  and  much  beloved  by  his  people,  and  is 
still  remembered  by  the  aged  with  delight.  Under  his  ministry 
the  church  was  built  up  by  hopeful  conversions  to  God.''  Seven 
other  pastors  succeeded  Mr.  Seely,  the  last  of  whom  was  Rev.  Bar- 
ret Matthias,  a  cultivated  and  graceful  speaker,  and  a  vigorous  and 
interesting  writer  upon  religious  subjects.  On  the  13th  of  July, 
1844,  the  church  resolved  by  unanimous  vote  to  unite  with  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Wantage.  It  was  constituted  a 
separate  organization  by  Newton  Presbytery  in  1882,  and  is 
now  called  the  Papakating  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  earliest  settlers  at  Hamburg  were  Presbyterians  and 
Reformed  Dutch,  who  had  occasionally  religious  meetings  in  their 
houses  as  early  as  1750.  Says  Mr.  William  Rankin  :  "In  1770 
three  families  came  here  from  Rhode  Island,  named  Marsh,  Hart 
and  Southworth,  who  were  Baptists."  The  Baptists  of  the  towns  of 


132  HABDYSTON  MEMORIAL. 

Wantage,  llardyston  and  Newton,  "  banded  together  in  church 
relation,"  with  William  Marsh  as  their  preacher.  An  old  bond, 
executed  by  William  Marsh,  of  I  lardy  s  Town,  October  20th,  1762, 
to  Robert  Ogden  2d,  shows  that  he  was  living  here  at.  that  date, 
and  also  that  Judge  Ogden  had  at  that  early  time  business  trans- 
actions with  the  inhabitants  along  the  Wallkill.  Marsh  lost  his 
life  in  the  massacre  of  Wyoming,  in  1778. 

In  1777  the  Baptists  chose  Constant  Hart  as  pastor,  and  organ- 
ized a  religious  society,  taking  the  name  of  the  "  Baptist  Church 
of  AVantage,  Hardystown  and  Newtown."  They  built  a  house  of 
worship  on  Lawrence's  Hill,  to  the  west  of  Hamburg.  Its  loca- 
tion was  not  satisfactory  to  the  Baptist  families,  who  were 
mostly  in  Wantage;  and  in  1782,  five  years  after  its  erection,  it 
was  taken  down  and  rebuilt  in  Wantage,  and  became  "  The  First 
Baptist  Church  of  Wantage,"  more  commonly  known  as  the  Pa- 
pakating  Meeting  House. 

The  Dutch  ministers  from  the  Minisink  region  visited  the 
settlers  of  the  Clove,  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants,  August 
21st,  1787,  a  petition  was  drawn  up  and  signed  by  fifty-five  names, 
asking  for  organization  as  a  Low  Dutch  Church  from  the  Olassis 
of  New  Brunswick.  At  September  classis,  1787,  "was  granted 
and  ordered  the  formation  of  a  congregation  in  the  (love  and 
vicinity."  "  Agreeable  to  said  order,"  elders  and  deacons  were 
ordained,  and  the  church  was  constituted  April  16th,  1788,  by 
Rev.  Elias  Y.  Bunschooten,  its  oiily  pastor  while  it  continued  a 
Dutch  Church.  Helmos  Titsworth's  barn  served  as  a  meeting 
house  for  a  time,  until  a  log  church  was  built  a  little  south  of  the 
present  edifice.  By  vote  of  the  members,  November  24th,  1817, 
it  became  Presbyterian. 

The  following  record  is  found  in  the  Clerk's  office  at  Newton: 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Presbyterian  congregation  in  llardys- 
ton, in  the  county  of  Sussex,  holden  at  the  dwelling  house  of 
Rob.  Ogden,  Esq.,  the  present  and  most  usual  place  of  meeting  of 
said  congregation,  on  Thursday,  23d  Novebmer,  A.  D.,  1786,  in 
order  to  form  a  body  corporate  and  choose  trustees,  agreeable  to 
the  act  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State,  passed  the  10th  March, 
1786,  due  notice  having  been  given  by  advertisements  agreeable 
to  the  directions  of  said  act.    A  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev. 


EARLY    CHURCHES.  133 

.las.  Wilson  previous  to  the  election. 

The  meeting  then  proceeded  to  business  and  chose  Rob. 
Ogden,  Esq.,  Moderator;  Kob.  Ogden,  Jr.,  Clerk.  The  Modera- 
tor and  Clerk  being  chosen,  the  meeting  proceeded  to  the  choice 
of  trustees,  when  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  :  Rob. 
Ogden,  Esq.,  Christopher  Hoagland,  Esq.,  Charles  Beardslee, Esq., 
Christopher  Longstreet,  Japhet  By  ram,  Rob.  Ogden,  Jr.,  Esq., 
Thomas  VanKirk,  Esq. 

"  I  certify  the  above  proceedings  to  be  regular  and  true. 

Ron.  Ogden,  Moderator.,, 

At  the  same  meeting,  the  trustees  chosen,  took  the  oaths  re- 
quired by  the  act  of  the  Legislature,  and  assumed  the  name  and 
title  of  the  "  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Hardyston." 

"  It  would  not  be  amiss  to  date  the  church  back  to  the  time 
when  services  were  held  in  the  house  of  Robert  Ogden.  This  was 
perhaps  as  early  as  1780.  The  church  was  built  on  land  (to  the 
extent  of  54  acres,)  given  for  that  purpose  by  the  proprietaries 
of  New  Jersey.  For  some  years  it  was  a  mere  shell  of  frame, 
roofed  and  weatherboarded,  with  roughly  hewn  seats  for  the  wor- 
shippers. The  old  frame  remains  to-day,  apparently  as  strong  as 
when  first  put  together.  The  original  members  of  the  church  are 
supposed  to  have  numbered  ten,  and  to  have  been  named  as  fol- 
lows :  Christian  Clay,  Mary  Clay,  his  wife;  Jonathan  Sutton, 
Robert  Ogden,  Jonathan  Sharp,  -lane  Mills,  wife  of  Robert  Mills  ; 
Mary  Johnson,  wife  of  Andrew  Johnson  ;  Gabriel  Paine,  John 
Linn,  and  Martha,  [his  mother.]  April  8th,  1810,  there  were  40 
on  the  roll.  May  14th,  1819,  there  were  99  active  members  of 
the  church,  and  49  of  them  were  dismissed  to  form  the  church  of 
North  Hardyston,  and  13  to  form  that  of  Hamburg,  leaving  37  to 
continue  the  First  Church  of  Hardyston. " 

[Chambers  Sparta  Memorial.] 

The  congregation  of  the  First  Church  of  Hardyston  began 
the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship  at  the  head  of  the  Wallkill, 
now  Sparta  village,  in  the  spring  of  1786.  This  organization  was 
designed  to  include  all  the  Presbyterians  of  the  town,  but  the 
inhabitants  of  North  Hardyston,  who  worshipped  at  Cary's  meet- 
ing House,  petitioned  for  land  to  be  given  them  also,  within  a 
reasonable  distance.  The  petition  was  favorably  considered,  and 
a  second  donation  of  land  was  secured  through  the  courtesy  of 
Judge  Lewis  Morris,  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
and  a  parsonage  lot  of  54  acres  was  set  off  for  congregational  pur- 


134  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

poses  to  the  people  of  North  Hardjston.  The  land  given  is  a 
part  of  the  farm  of  Asa  Munson,  and  known  in  his  deeds  as  "  the 
Parsonage  Lot."  The  minutes  of  record  at  Perth  Amboy,  are  in 
Book  S,  S,  page  142,  30th  May,  1787. 

Grants  of  land  had  been  made  by  the  East  Jersey  Proprietors 
for  church  purposes  to  the  leading  denomination  of  each  town. 
In  Newton  the  Episcopalians  were  stronger  and  received  the  gift 
of  a  farm  ;  in  Hardyston  the  Presbyterians  were  the  most  num- 
erous, and  obtained  the  double  gift  here  spoken  of. 

The  date  of  the  erection  of  the  first  Gary  Meeting  House 
cannot  be  given  with  certainty.  1782,  the  year  the  Baptists  re- 
moved their  church  from  Hamburg,  is  accepted  by  some,  and  a 
commemorative  meeting  was  held  at  the  North  Church  in  1882. 
Others  think  it  was  standing  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 
Deacon  Garret  Kemble  said,  "  It  stood  there  long  before."  The 
testimony  of  the  few  living  who  worshipped  there  in  early  life 
makes  it  a  very  old  building.  Burials  were  made  on  the  spot  as 
early  as  1774.  Mrs.  Sally  Hamilton  described  it  as  having  a  very 
substantial  frame,  and  said  it  was  used  many  years  before  its  com- 
pletion. The  ceiling  was  never  plastered,  and  the  swallows  made 
their  nests  on  the  beams. 

A  subscription  paper,  dated  June  19th,  1813,  speaks  "of  the 
decayed  situation  of  the  old  meeting  house  near  the  Wd.  Beard - 
slee's."  A  building  must  have  stood  many  years,  before  such  a 
description  would  be  suitable. 

The  Gary  Meeting  House  continued  its  connection  with  the 
First  Church  in  Hardyston,  at  the  head  of  the  Wallkill,  until 
May  loth,  1819,  when  it  was  organized  as  a  distinct  church  with 
sixty-one  members.  Fifty  of  these  came  by  letter  and  eleven 
were  received  on  profession.  On  July  18th,  nineteen  more  were 
received  by  letter,  and  eight  on  profession,  making  the  total  mem- 
bership eighty-eight.  The  corporate  name  adopted  was  "  The 
North  Presbyterian  Church  of  Hardyston." 

The  "  Presbyterian  Church  of  Hamburg  "  was  constituted  a 
separate  church  May  14th,  1819,  the  day  previous  to  the  organi- 
zation of  the  North  Church  of  Hardyston  and  by  the  same  com- 
mittee of  Presbytery.     The  records  have  long  disappeared. 


EARLY     CHURCHES.  135 

Very  little  is  now  remembered  of  the  early  ministry  of  the 
First  Church  in  Hardyston.  The  names  of  He  v.  Mr.  Jackson, 
and  of  Rev.  Mr.  Seeley,  from  the  Frankford  and  Wantage,  or 
Beemer  Meeting  House,  Church,  appear  as  doing  ministerial  ser- 
vice among  our  people. 

Rev.  Holloway  Whitefield  Hunt  was  the  earliest  pastor  of 
whom  much  can  be' said.  There  is  no  record  of  stated  preaching 
in  our  churches  until  1795,  when  Mr.  Hunt  took  charge  of  the  1st 
Hardyston,  Cary's  Meeting  House,  and  Newton  Churches,  serving 
them  until  1802.  He  received  from  Robert  Ogden  the  use  of  a 
farm,  and  finally  the  possession  of  it,  conditioned  upon  his  re- 
maining as  minister  to  these  churches  for  seven  years.  He  re- 
ceived his  deed,  gave  his  receipt  in  full,  and  shortly  moved  away- 
He  was  of  an  English  family  who  came  to  America  in  1652. 
His  parents  were  Augustine  Hunt  and  Lydia  Holloway,  and  he 
was  born  in  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y.,  9th  April,  1769.  His  father,  who 
removed  to  Wyoming,  Pa.,  but  after  the  massacre,  in  1778,  fled 
with  his  family  and  returned  to  Orange  Co.,  advised  his  son  to 
seek  some  life  work  for  himself,  saying,  "  All  I  have  to  give  you 
is  a  dollar  and  the  blessing  of  God.''  After  his  conversion,  Hollo- 
way began  to  preach  as  a  Methodist  minister,  but  found  his  edu- 
cation inadequate,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  secured  means, — by 
chopping  wood  and  cleaning  land — he  prepared  for  college,  grad- 
uated at  Nassau  Hall  in  1791,  and  came  here  the  following  year. 
He  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1794,  ordained  and  installed  over  the  churches  of  Newton 
and  Hardyston,  June  17th,  1795,  and  died  January  11th,  1858,  in 
his  89th  year. 

During  his  ministry  the  Presbyterians  of  Hamburg  used  a 
large  school-house,  with  a  chimney  at  each  end,  which  occupied 
very  nearly  the  site  of  the  present  Presbyterian  Church.  In  this 
school-house  Mr.  Hunt  frequently  held  evening  services.  On  one 
occasion  he  preached  a  sermon,  ever  remembered  by  Mrs.  Sally 
Hamilton,  upon  the  words,  "  Faith,  Hope  and  Charity."  When. 
Joseph  Sharp  was  living  here,  he  took  down  the  large  school- 
house,  and  built  a  smaller  one,  near  where  the  iron  bridge  of  the 
Lehigh  &  Hudson  River  Railroad  stands.     Mr.   Hunt's  brother 


130  lIARnYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

whom    lie   assisted   in   educating,  and  several    of   his   sons   and 
grandsons,  became  ministers. 

From  1802  the  church  had  for  three  years  supplies  furnished 
by  the  New  York  Presbytery.  In  the  winter  of  1805  Barnabas 
King,  a  frail  and  youthful  looking  man,  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth 
( 1ollege,  who  had  studied  for  the  ministry,  was  teaching  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  preparing  to  go  further  west  to  some  of 
the  newly  formed  settlements.  A  friend,  Mr.  Beach,  of  Morris 
County  ^  had  written  to  him  that  there  was  an  open  door  in  north- 
ern New  Jersey.  He  purchased  a  horse,  crossed  the  Hudson 
River  at  Newburg,  and  entered  New  Jersey  near  Vernon.  On 
Christmas  eve  he  stopped  for  the  night  at  a  tavern  where  there 
was  a  country  ball,  but  obtained  very  little  rest.  This  was  prob- 
ably the  old  tavern  house  in  Hamburg  whose  site  is  now  occupied 
by  the  new  house  of  Henry  \\r.  Edsall.  The  next  day  the  trav- 
eller reached  the  hospitable  mansion  of  Robert  Ogden,  who  gave 
him  a  cordial  welcome. 

Rev.  Albert  Barnes  wrote  that  he  knew  of  no  minister  whose 
walk  and  labor  and  success  had  been  so  admirable  as  those  of  Barn- 
abas King,  of  Rockaway.  <  me  of  our  members  recollects  his  com- 
ing to  the  house  of  her  father,  Judge  John  Linn,  at  Harmony 
Vale,  to  baptize  one  of  his  children.  Robert  Ogden  gave  Mr. 
King  a  letter  of  introduction  to  his  son-in-law,  Colonel  Joseph 
Jackson,  of  Rockaway.  The  churches  of  Rockaway  and  Berk- 
shire Valley  were  vacant,  and  Mr.  King  took  charge  of  them  in 
connection  with  Sparta  and  the  Cary  Meeting  House,  and  this 
arrangement  continged  for  three  years,  when  he  received  a  call  to 
preach  one-half  of  his  time  at  RocKaway,  with  the  salary  of  $125, 
and  afterwards  of  $208.  A  great  revival  began  at  Rockaway, 
and  at  one  communion  nearly  eighty  were  received  into  the 
church. 

"  lie  began  at  once,"  says  Dr.  Joseph  F.  Tuttle,  "  in  the  most 
systematic  manner  to  minister  to  his  people.  He  not  only 
preached  in  every  neighborhood,  but  visited  every  house  for  re- 
ligious instruction  and  prayer.  I  lis  labors  became  excessive  at 
times,  and  for  weeks  together  amounting  to  ten  public  services  a 
weak,  besides   his   regular   visits   in   the   parish  and  visits  to  the 


KAULV    CHURCHES.  137 

sick.""  lie  died  in  April,  1862,  in  his  eighty-second  year,  and 
after  a  pastorate  of  fifty-live  years. 

In  1810  Oliver  Gueen,  a  licentiate,  became  stated  supply. 
Before  his  ordination  lie  died  at  the  house  of  Robert  Ogden, 
August  24th.  1810,  and  was  buried  in  the  rear  of  the  Sparta 
Church,  where  Mr.  Ogden  placed  a  tombstone  to  his  memory. 
lie  was  the  son  of  Oliver  Green,  of  Ashburnham,  England,  grad- 
uated at  Dartmouth  ( 1ollege  in  1807,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  by 
South  Worcester  Association. 

In  1S11  Joseph  Linn  Siiafek,  D.  1).,  began  his  ministry, 
giving  by  agreement  one  Sabbath  out  of  four  to  the  congregation 
at  Cary's  Meeting  House,  and  preaching  also  at  Sparta  and  New- 
ton. He  received  $132  from  the  North  Church  as  their  propor- 
tion of  the  salary.  In  lSir>  he  ceased  to  preach  in  Hardyston 
and  took  the  exclusive  charge  at  Newton,  remaining  there  as  pas- 
tor until  his  death,  with  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  at  Mid- 
dletown  Point. 

Casper  Scl wetter  came  from  the  Palatinate,  Germany,  and  set- 
tled in  1712  on  the  bank  of  the  Tehoe-neteong  creek,  now  the 
Paulins  Kill,  near  the  site  of  the  present  village  of  Stillwater,  lie 
married  Maria  Catrina,  daughter  of  .John  Peter  Bernhard,  who 
also  settled  in  Stillwater.  Casper  had  eight  children,  of  whom 
Isaac  was  the  sixth.  Isaac  Sehaeffer  married  for  his  second  wife, 
Martha  Linn,  daughter  of  Joseph  Linn  and  Martha  Kirkpa trick. 
Joseph  L.,  their  oldest  child,  was  born  at  Stillwater  May  9,  1787, 
united  with  the  Yellow  Frame  Church  in  his  fourteenth  year, 
and  died  at  Newton  November  12th,  1853.  His  wife  was  Diana 
Forman,  of  Freehold. 

Dr.  Shafer's  usefulness  continued  until  he  was  stricken  with 
paralysis,  shortly  before  his  death,  while  reading  the  closing  hymn 
after  his  sermon.  He  was  most  conscientious  in  his  religious  con- 
victions and  affectionate  toward  the  people  of  his  charge.  His 
ministry  in  North  Hardyston  was  distinguished  by  the  building 
of  two  churches. 

A  subscription  list  dated  June  19th,  1813,  reads:  "  We,  the 
subscribers,  being  sensible  of  the  decayed  situation  of  the  old 
meeting  house  near  the  widow  Beardslee's,   and  of  the   necessity 


138  HARDY  ST0N     MEMORIAL. 

and  great  utility  of  having  a  decent  and  comfortable  house  erected 
at  or  near  the  place  where  the  old  one  stands,  for  public  worship, 
do  engage  to  pay  the  several  sums  annexed  to  our  respective 
names.  When  a  sufficient  sum  is  subscribed,  managers  shall  be 
chosen  to  contract  and  superintend  the  work,  and  Martin  Byer- 
son,  Israel  Munson,  George  Buckley,  Noah  Hammond,  Peter 
AVhitaker  and  J.  Sutton  shall  be  a  committee  to  circulate  sub- 
scriptions to  raise  funds  for  the  purpose  aforesaid."  John  Linn 
subscribed  $150 ;  Samuel  Fowler,  $150  ;  George  Beardslee,  $150  ; 
James  Scott,  $100  ;  Charles  Beardslee,  $100,  and  others  very  lib- 
eral sums  amounting  to  $1,133.  Noah  Hammond  subscribed 
$45  "  if  no  house  is  built  at  Hamburg." 

The  portion  of  the  congregation  who  before  went  up  the  hill 
complained  so  much,  that  the  new  house  was  placed  below  it,  near 
where  Colonel  Cary's  log  house  once  stood.  A  paper  endorsed 
""  Memorandum  of  Proceedings  and  resolutions  respecting  building 
a  Meeting-house  near  "VViddow  Beardslee's  in  Hardiston,  1814," 
reads :  £i  At  a  meeting  held  at  the  Widdow  Beardslee's  the  1st 
day  of  February,  A.  D.,  1814,  to  consult  upon  the  propriety 
of  building  the  Meeting  House  near  the  old  house  in  that  place 
it  was  resolved  to  go  on ;  and  that  George  Beardslee,  Doctor 
Samuel  Fowler,  and  Samuel  Beardslee  be  the  managers  to  Con- 
tract and  superintend  the  work. 

"  And  that  John  Buckley,  Jr.,  Beverly  Beardslee,  George 
Buckley,  and  Peter  AVhitaker,  Esqr.,  be  Collectors,  to  collect  the 
Money  subscribed  for  the  purpose  of  building  said  House.  And 
that  John  Linn,  Esqr.,  be  and  hereby  is  chosen  Treasurer.  It 
was  moved  and  carried  that  the  Treasurer  and  Collectors  act  in 
that  capacity  without  fee  or  reward.  And  the  Managers  be  only 
allowed  pay  when  out  from  home  on  expense." 

By  Feb.  10th,  1814,  bills  were  presented  for  shingles  pur- 
chased and  lumber  hauled,  showing  that  the  work  went  promptly 
on  after  the  congregational  meeting  was  held.  A  debt  contracted 
was  not  wholly  paid  off  until  after  1S20.  The  building  in  an 
unfinished  condition  was  occupied  that  winter,  and  for  several  suc- 
ceeding years.  Dr.  Fairchild  speaks  of  it  in  1830  as  "scarcely 
finished." 


EARLY    CHURCHES.  139 

From  the  time  the  Post  Office  was  established  until  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain  there  was  much 
business  energy  and  some  village  pride  in  Hamburg.  The  build- 
ing of  a  church  in  the  place  had  been  discussed,  and  March  21st, 
1808,  a  meeting  was  held  by  a  few  influential  citizens,  who  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  secure  subscriptions  for  a  meeting  house, 
to  be  called  the  Hamburg  Church,  and  to  be  free  to  all  denomin- 
ations.    Nothing,  however,  came  of  it. 

In  1813  when  the  matter  of  rebuilding  the  Cary  Meeting 
House  was  under  discussion,  the  Presbyterians  of  this  place  re- 
solved to  build,  and  shortly  after  the  two  structures  were  going  up 
at  the  same  time.  Mr.  Martin  Ryerson,  who  called  himself  a 
Quaker,  promised  to  give  the  land.  The  Baptists  subscribed 
nearly  one  hundred  dollars,  and  when  the  deed  was  drawn  up, 
dated  January  10th,  1814,  Mr.  Ryerson  refused  to  give  the  lot  to 
the  Presbyterians  exclusively,  but  made  it  to  the  "  Trustees  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  and  Ana-baptist  Society  of  Hamburg." 

AVhen  the  house  was  completed  stated  services  were  held  in 
it  by  the  ministers  of  the  First  and  North  Ilardyston  congrega- 
tions, and  the  sacraments  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper  were 
administered.  The  Presbyterians  exercised  the  prior  use  of  the 
house,  and  continued  until  1831  to  have  their  Sabbath  morning 
service  here,  alternating  with  the  North  Church.  When  the 
third  North  Church  was  dedicated  Dr.  Fairchild  insisted  upon 
preaching  there  every  Sabbath  morning,  and  giving  the  afternoon 
only  to  Hamburg. 

The  Hamburg  Church  was  originally  almost  square  in  plan, 
with  a  gallery  on  three  sides.  The  wine  glass  shaped  pulpit  stood 
on  a  single  pillar,  and  was  reached  by  winding  stairs.  There  were 
four  square  pews  on  each  side  and  long  seats  through  the  middle 
of  the  house.  The  square  pews  were  sold  and  deeds  given  for 
them  as  in  the  Sparta  Church.  The  Second  North  Church  re- 
sembled the  Hamburg  Church,  and  was  built  on  the  same  model. 

Rev.  Noah  Crane  came  in  1816,  and  purchased  a  farm  in 
Sparta,  upon  which  he  lived.  He  was  born  at  Montclair  July 
14th,  1780  ;  ordained  by  the  "  Associated  Presbytery  of  Morris 
(  ounty  ;"  was  our  minister  until  1818,  and  continued  twelve  years 


140  HARDYSTON  MEMORIAL. 

longer  at  Sparta,  lie  was  spoken  of  in  terms  of  wannest  affec- 
tion.    His  death  occurred  at  Newark  Sept.  16th,  1851. 

Burr  Baldwin,  a  licentiate  of  New  York  Presbytery, 
preached  here  for  one  year,  1818,  and  was  greatly  blessed  in  his 
work. 

The  wave  of  the  great  revival  of  1800  reached  this  region,  and 
the  activity  of  the  pastors  in  our  county  was  finally  crowned  with 
joyous  ingatherings.  There  were  several  "  general  meetings1'  in 
which  a  number  of  churches  united.  As  a  specimen  of  these, 
we  may  name  one  held  at  Beemer  Meeting  House.  Robert 
( >gden  records  it  in  his  diary  as  follows  : 

"1818,  Tuesday,  25th  August.  After  breakfast  set  off  with 
Mr.  Crane  to  go  the  General  Meeting  at  Beemer's  Church,  in 
Frankford.  Eat  dinner  at  Judge  Linn's.  In  the  evening  attended 
the  prayer-meeting  in  Beemer's  church  ;  about  100  assembled. 
Lodged  at  N.  Beemer's.  AVednesday  morning  attended  the  prayer- 
meeting  at  sunrise  ;  about  fifty  were  present.  At  nine  assembled  for 
worship.  Mr.  Greer,  Mr.  Williams,  Mr.  Shafer,  Mr.  Crane,  Mr. 
Baldwin  and  Mr.  Allen  attended.  Mr.  Greer  preached,  the 
others  exhorted.  At  twelve  had  an  hour's  intermission.  Assem- 
bled at  one.  Mr.  Allen  preached,  the  others  exhorted.  ( 1losed 
the  exercises  before  four  o'clock.  It  was  supposed  1500  were 
collected.  Xo  accident  or  disturbance  happened.  *  '""  *  * 
After  breakfast  Thursday  morning  came  home.  Mr.  ( 'rane  eat 
dinner  with  me.     After  dinner  went  to  prayer-meeting  [Sparta].'' 

Some  dissatisfaction  was  expressed  at  the  suggestion  that  Mr. 
Allen  should  preach  at  the  great  meeting.  He  was  very  youth- 
ful looking  and  a  stranger.  But  as  he  stood  in  the  doorway  he 
soon  carried  the  hearts  of  his  great  auditory  with  the  earnest, 
piercing  words  he  used.  They  were  deeply  affected,  and  from 
this  time  Mr.  Allen's  reputation  as  a  preacher  was  established. 

Mr.  Allen  has  himself  recorded  another  account  of  this  great 
meeting. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  THE   DIARY  OF  REV.  EDWARD  ALLEN. 

"Sabbath  23d  August,  18 IS.  This  day  a  Presbyterian 
Church  was  duly  organized  in  Newfoundland.  The  ordinances 
were  administered  at  Brownville  in  a  barn.  This  was  a  very  sol- 
emn dav.     The  largest  audience  assembled  that  I    have  ever  seen 


KAKLY     CHURCHES.  141 

in  this  region  of  the  country,  between  4  and  500.  Dr.  McDowell 
preached  from  the  words,  '  And  he  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  his 
soul.'  While  the  ordinances  were  administered  a  no.  of  affec- 
ting addresses  were  made.  It  was  a  time  of  deep  solemnity.  Mr. 
Green  preached  in  the  p.  \r.  from  the  words,  '  And  yet  there  is 
room."  I  trust  that  the  transactions  of  this  day  will  not  soon  be 
forgotten.  Mr.  Green  and  myself  rode  to  Snufftown.  I  preached 
in  the  evening  at  Mr.  Ford's  to  a  large  assembly. 

"  Tuesday,  25th  August,  1818.  Had  made  a  promise  to  at- 
tend a  great  meeting  about  20  miles  distant — near  Decker  Town. 
This  had  been  appointed  by  Eev'd  Mr. Williams  and  Mr.  Baldwin. 
Arrived  at  Judge  Linn's  at  even. 

"  Wednesday,  26.  In  a  gig  with  Judge  Linn,  rode  to  Beem- 
er  Meeting  House.  Here  found  five  Presbyterian  Clergymen 
assembled,  two  of  the  Baptist  order,  one  Methodist  and  one  Inde- 
pendent. At  10  :  public  worship  commenced.  The  exercises 
were  opened  by  Mr.  Williams.  After  an  exhortation  and  prayer, 
Mr.  Greer,  of  X.  York  State,  preached  a  good  sermon.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Mr.  Crane,  of  Sparta.  The  audience  was  large  and 
not  half  could  get  into  the  house.  Mr.  Shafer,  of  Newton,  com- 
menced the  exercises  with  a  short  prayer.  I  then  preached  a  ser- 
mon, and  was  followed  by  exhortations  from  Mr.  Baldwin  and 
Mr.  Shafer.  At  1:  the  meeting  was  dissolved.  In  the  p.  m.  we 
preached  standing  in  the  dooi.  It  was  judged  that  nearly  2,000 
persons  were  present,  but  the  order  and  solemnity  was  as  great  as 
if  it  had  been  the  Lord's  day.  Spent  the  night  at  Judge  Linn's 
and  had  the  pleasure  of  Mr.  ( )gden's  and  Crane's  company. 

''Thursday,  27th  August,  continued  at  Mr.  Linn's  until  p.  >r. 
At  12  :  was  informed  that  Mr.  Linn's  brother  had  expired  the  da}- 
before.  He  was  ill  but  half  an  hour  before  he  became  a  corpse — 
a  solemn  providence.  Spent  the  night  in  Hamburg  at  Mr. 
Udell's,  a  Methodist.  We  had  much  interesting  and  edifying- 
conversation  during  the  evening  and  retired  late. 

"  Friday,  28th.  Continued  in  Hamburg  until  2  o'clock  p.  &t., 
dined  at  Mr.  Gould's  [Elder  Johnson  X.  Gould].  Made  arrange- 
ments to  exchange  labours  with  Br.  Baldwin  a  few  days  the  com- 
ing week.  Arrived  at  Pittenger's  Tavern  at  the  appointed  hour 
for  meeting,  and  preached  again  in  the  evening  at  Mr.  Young's 
to  a  crowded  house,  "How  will  you  escape,  if  ye  neglect  so  great 
salvation."'  Many  were  affected  and  the  meeting  solemn.  One 
man  desired  our  prayers. 

"Tuesday,  1  September,  1818.  Had  agreed  to  exchange 
with  Br.  Baldwin  for  a  few  days.  Set  off  for  Judge  Linn's  where 
I  had  an  appointment  in  the  p.  m.    Preached  to  a  crowded  house — 


142  IIARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

the  people  gave  good  attention.  Wednesday,  2d  September,  p.  m., 
preached  at  Gary  Meeting  House  to  a  full  house,  the  people 
were  attentive  ;  returned  to  Judge  Linn's  and  spent  the  night. 

"Thursday,  3  September,  1818.  In  the  p.  m.,  with  Mr. 
Linn  rode  to  the  place  appointed  for  preaching.  Found  a  crowd- 
ed house  and  spoke  to  them  from  these  words,  "  O  wicked  man 
thou  shalt  surely  die."  Many  appeared  affected.  I  thought 
proper  to  appoint  another  meeting  in  the  evening.  Mr.  Teasdale, 
a  Baptist  Clergyman  was  present  and  took  part  in  the  exercises. 
I  spent  the  night  with  him  at  Mr.  Hammond's. 

"  Friday,  4  Sept.  Arose  at  an  early  horn*  and  rode  about  a 
mile  to  Mr.  Rorick's  for  breakfast.  Was  agreeably  entertained 
with  fruits.  Came  to  Mr.  Gould's,  where  I  was  hospitably  enter- 
tained. In  the  r.  m.  visited  a  few  families.  They  were  willing 
to  converse  and  some  promised  they  would  endeavor  to  reform. 
One  man  pleaded  inability.  In  the  evening  addressed  a  very 
large  audience.  They  were  very  attentive.  I  spoke  from  these 
words,  '  O  Jerusalem,  &c,  but  ye  would  not.' 

"  Saturday,  5  Sept.  Rose  at  an  early  hour,  walked  4  miles 
to  Judge  Linn's,  took  breakfast,  and  being  favored  with  his  horse 
and  gig  I  went  to  Newton  and  spent  a  few  hours  at  Br.  Shafers. 
Returned  and  in  the  evening  preached  at  Hamburg  in  a  tavern. 
The  people  attended  well.  Spoke  from  the  parable  of  the  "  Rich 
man  and  Lazarus."  Spent  the  night  at  Mr.  Ryerson's.  Convers- 
ed with  Mrs.  R.,  an  intelligent  woman,  relative  to  the  concerns  of 
her  soul.     Retired  at  a  late  hour. 

"  Sabbath,  6  Sept.  After  the  morning  duties  repaired  to  the 
house  of  God  with  raised  affections.  It  pleased  the  Lord  to  put 
it  in  the  hearts  of  many  persons  to  assemble  together  this  day.  I 
felt  animated  while  addressing  so  many  precious  souls — was  ena- 
bled to  speak  with  great  freedom.  I  attempted  to  expose  the 
vain  excuses  of  sinners.  In  the  p.  m.  spoke  from  the  1st  verse  of 
29th  chap,  of  Proverbs.  After  this  went  to  Vernon,  about  six 
miles,  and  preached  to  a  crowded  house.  Spent  the  night  at  Mr. 
Winans'  tavern.     Very  agreeable  family. 

"Monday,  7th.  Returned  to  Newfoundland.  Did  not  meet 
Br.  Baldwin.  Dined  at  Mr.  Ford's.  Eve'g.  attended  the  monthly 
concert  for  prayer,  we  had  a  very  interesting  meeting — the  house 
was  crowded  with  people  who  were  very  solemn  Conversed  witli 
Mr.  Babbitt  who  has  recently  embraced  a  hope." 

One  day  as  Mr.  Allen  was  returning  from  a  meeting  an  old 
gentleman  invited  him  into  his  house,  and  said  that  if  the  people 
would  build  a  meeting  house,  he  would  give  the  land  and  fifty 
dollars.     On  October  1st,  1818,  a  meeting-  was  held  in  a  school 


EARLY     CHURCHES.  143 

house,  when  the  people  resolved  to  build  a  church,  and  live  Trus- 
tees were  chosen.  Mr.  Allen  was  much  engaged  in  Sunday 
Schools,  of  which  there  were  several  large  and  full.  "  One  girl 
recited  1152  verses,  and  another  800."  "  Some  youth  commit  200 
verses  every  week."  "  Thursday  8  Oct.,  1818.  Attended  Pres- 
bytery at  Elizabeth  Town,  and  was  examined  for  ordination.  Six 
young  men  received  License,  viz :  Crane,  Condit,  Armstrong, 
Babbitt,  Osborn,  Ford. 

"  Tuesday  19th,  1818.  In  the  evening  preached  my  trial 
sermon  for  ordination  in  the  session  house  of  the  Brick  Church, 
[New  York  City] .  It  was  determined  that  I  be  ordained  at  New- 
foundland on  the  2d  Tuesday  in  Nov.  Spent  the  night  with  Br. 
Cox  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Dodge. 

"  Sabbath,  24  Oct.  This  was  considered  by  many  as  the 
most  interesting  day  that  was  ever  witnessed  in  Newfoundland. 
Two  additional  elders  were  elected.  Thirteen  persons  were  bap- 
tized, etc.  Strictest  attention  from  a  large  audience.  Dr.  Mc- 
Dowell preached  and  considered  this  as  the  most  solemn  day  he 
ever  witnessed.  The  Lord  was  evidently  in  the  midst  of  us.  I 
trust  this  was  a  day  long  to  be  remembered. 

"Tuesday,  10th  Nov.,  [1818].  This  day  had  been  ap- 
pointed by  Presbytery  for  my  ordination  as  an  Evangelist.  The 
weather  was  very  favorable.  Ten  of  the  clergy  were  present  and 
seven  elders — a  very  large  concourse  of  people  assembled.  The 
exercises  were  performed  in  Capt.  Martin  Brown's  barn.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Williams  commenced  the  exercises.  Mr.  Condit  made 
the  opening  prayer.  An  admirable  sermon  was  preached  by 
Samuel  Cox,  "  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ."  Mr. 
Fisher  made  the  consecration  prayer  and  delivered  the  charge, 
and  Dr.  McDowell  concluded  the  exercises  by  a  pertinent  address 
to  the  people.  All  was  solemn  and  affecting.  May  I  never  for- 
get the  solemnities  of  this  day.  The  vows  of  God  are  upon  me. 
May  I  ever  look  to  him  for  assistance  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  my 
station. 

"Friday.  18  Dec,  1818.  Rode  through  the  mountains — ■ 
came  to  Bro.  Bostedo's,  [Methodist  Minister]  and  preached  in  his 
house.  Not  many  attended.  About  10  in  this  place  have  united 
themselves  to  Mr.  B.'s  church.  Arrived  at  Newfoundland  and 
preached  in  the  evening  at  the  house  of  Maj.  Sutton.  The  atten- 
dance was  good.  Had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Bro.  Enos  A.  Os- 
born,  on  his  way  as  a  Missionary  to  Decker  Town,  to  assist  the 
Rev.  Mr.  AVilliams.  The  Lord  is  reviving  his  work  in  that 
region. 

"  Jany.  1st,  1819.      The  year  past  my  labors  owned  and  blest 


144  UABDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

of  the  Lord.  A  church  formed  in  Newfoundland  of  45  mem- 
bers. One  in  Stony  Brook  of  17  members,  and  a  great  Revival  in 
Ixmg  Pond. 

"  Jany.  31st.  Twenty-two  persons  received  into  the  church 
at  Long  Pond. 

"  In  February  preached  in  Post  Mile  and  Amity,  where  Mr. 
Timlow  attended,  who  was  about  to  become  their  minister.  As- 
sisted at  ordination  of  Mr.  Miller,  at  Blackrivcr,  Chester.  Morris 
County. 

""Thursday,  March  11,  1819.  Went  to  Hamburg— had 
agreed  to  spend  the  day,  which  had  been  set  apart  for  fasting, 
humiliation  and  prayer,  with  Bro.  Baldwin.  A  considerable  num- 
ber of  people  assembled.  We  each  made  an  address.  In  the 
evening  I  preached  from  the  History  of  Bartimens.  It  was  very 
stormy  which  prevented  many  from  attending.  Staid  at  Mr. 
( Mould's. 

"  Friday,  12  March.  Understood  that  the  people  in  Ham- 
burg had  issued  a  subscription  with  the  view  of  having  me  to 
preach  for  them  one  half  of  the  time. 

"  Saturday,  20th  March.  Had  made  arrangements  to  ex- 
change a  few  days  with  Bro.  Baldwin  and  accordingly  set  off  for 
Franklin  Furnace,  arrived  at  Mr.  Munson's  before  night  and  took 
tea.  In  the  evening  preached  to  a  crowded  house.  The  atten- 
tion of  the  people  was  good  and  solemn.  Went  to  Hamburg  to 
Mr.  Gould's. 

-Sabbath,  21st  March,  1819.  A  cold  day.  Those  present 
were  very  attentive.  In  the  evening  preached  at  Vernon,  6  miles 
from  Hamburg,  to  a  very  crowded  and  attentive  audience.  Spent 
the  night  at  Mr.  Winans'. 

"  Monday  22d.  Rode  passed  in  the  evening  to  Pochunk  and 
preached  to  a  thronged  assembly.  We  passed  a  solemn  evening 
and  a  number  appeared  affected —the  Lord  blessed  the  word 
preached. 

"  Tuesday,  23d.  Came  to  Hamburg.  Called  on  Mr.  Jones 
and  spent  the  day  with  him,  his  wife  a  member  of  the  church. 
Storm  prevented  preaching.  Became  acquainted  with  Dr.  L'Hom- 
medieu. 

"  Wednesday,  24th.  At  Judge  Linn's.  Evening  preached 
in  S.  House  to  a  very  crowded  house.  Many  obliged  to  stand. 
Solemn  meeting.     Bro.  Baldwin  arrived  during  the  service. 

"  Thursday,  29th  March,  1819.  Newark— Attended  Pres- 
bytery— was  directed  to  preach  at  Hamburg  and  the  North 
Church  until  the  next  stated  meeting  of  Presbytery,  commencing 
in  June. 


EARLY     CHURCHES.  145 

"  Friday,  14  May,  1819.  Came  this  day  to  Hamburg.  Had 
the  pleasure  of  meeting  Brothers  Fisher,  Williams,  Crane  and 
Baldwin,  i*.  m.  Bro.  Fisher  preached  a  sermon  suitable  to  the 
occasion,  and  afterwards  constituted  the  church.  AH  the  clergy 
went  to  Judge  Linn's  to  spend  the  night. 


fcSv. 


THE  NORTH  CHURCH. 


CHAPTER  X. 


NORTH  HARDYSTON  AND  HAMBURG  CHURCHES. 


The  following  minute  is  taken  from  the  Sparta  Session 
Book  : 

"May  14,  1819.  The  Session  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Hardyston  met  agreeable  to  notice  at  the  house  of 
Thomas  Ryerson  in  Hamburg.  Present,  John  Linn,  Johnson 
N.  Gould,  George  Buckley.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Fisher, 
Bishop  of  the  congregation  of  Paterson,  presided  as  Moderator. 
Opened  with  prayer.  Forty-nine  [whose  names  are  given  else- 
where] applied  for  dismission  from  this  church  to  join  the  North 
Church  in  Hardyston.  Whereupon  it  was  resolved  that  the  ap- 
plication be  granted  and  that  the  several  persons  named  be  dis- 
missed agreeable  to  their  request. 


NORTH  HARDY8TON  AND  HAMBURG  CHURCHES.  147 

"  1,  Johnson  N.  Gould;  2,  Elizabeth  Gould;  o,  Martha 
Reeve;  -i,  Mrs.  Jane  Jones,  w.  of  Thomas;  5,  Nancy  Silsby;  6, 
Jane  Wood ;  7,  Priscilla  Vibbert,  w.  of  William  ;  8,  Hannah 
Campbell,  w.  of  John ;  9,  Jnlia  Kimball ;  10,  John  T.  Perry  ;  11, 
Jane  Perry  ;  12,  Mary  Edsall,  and  13,  Mary  VanVliet,  applied 
for  dismission  to  join  the  church  in  Hamburg  ;  whereupon  it  was 
resolved  that  their  application  be  granted  and  that  the  several  per- 
sons named  be  dismissed  at  their  request. 

"  The  session  then  closed  with -prayer." 

FROM   MINUTES    OF    SESSION. 

North  Church  of  Hardy  ston,  May  15th,  1819,  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

"  The  persons  whose  names  are  underwritten,  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  congregation  worshipping,  in  this  place,  being  de- 
sirous of  enjoying  christian  fellowship  and  the  special  ordinances 
of  the  church  of  Christ,  met  at  their  usual  place  of  worship  and 
opened  their  meeting  by  prayer  to  God  for  his  guidance  and 
blessing. 

"  The  liev'd  Samuel  Fisher,  being  present,  was  chosen  Mod- 
erator and  John  Linn  Clerk. 

"  After  having  produced  satisfactory  testimonials  of  their 
having  been  admitted  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
of  their  dismission  from  the  churches  to  which  they  respectively 
belonged,  they  unanimously  adopted  the  following  constitution, 
viz  : 

I.  That  we  do  this  day,  humbly  trusting  in  the  grace  of 
the  great  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  Souls,  cordially  unite  together 
as  a  Christian  Church,  under  the  name  and  style  of  the  North 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Hardyston. 

II.  That  we  do  sincerely  receive  and  adopt  the  confession 
of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  do  approve  of  the  gov- 
ernment and  discipline  of  the  same,  as  exercised  in  these  United 
States. 

III.  That  we  do  sincerely  engage  to  walk  together  in  Chris- 
tian fellowship  and  love  ;  tenderly  and  carefully  watching  over 
one  another  in  the  Lord. 

IV.  That  we  do  solemnly  engage  to  submit  to  the  discipline 
of  this  church,  when  administered  according  to  the  rules  of  Christ, 
as  long  as  we  continue  members  of  the  same. 

"  The  communicants  of  the  church  then  chose  John  Linn 
and  George  Buckley  Elders,  and  Mr.  Linn  Deacon.  These  per- 
sons having  been  already  ordained  to  these  offices  were  not 
reordained.    Eleven  additions  were  received  upon  profession. 


14b  1IAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

The  loss  of  the  records  prevent  us  from  knowing  what  oth- 
ers beside  the  thirteen  named  were  received  by  letter  from  other 
churches  or  by  profession  of  faith  into  the  Hamburg  Church  when 
constituted.  By  direction  of  Presbytery  Mr.  Allen  came  at  the 
end  of  the  month  to  assume  charge  of  the  cliurches.  We  may 
again  take  up  his  diary  which  furnishes  the  best  history  of  his 
ministerial  labors. 

"Thursday,  May  27,  1819  Thus  have  1  spent  one  year  and 
one  month  in  preachiug  the  gospel  in  Newfoundland.  The  Lord 
be  praised.  lie  has  done  great  things  for  the  people  in^this  des- 
titute region.  Three  churches  have  been  established — containing 
45  in  one,  35  in  another,  and  21  in  the  third  ;  the  foundations  laid 
for  three  meeting  houses.  This  year  has  proved  the  most  happy 
of  my  life.  The  Lord  go  with  me  to  that  people  among  whom  for 
a  few  months  I  expect  to  labor. 

"  Friday,  28th,  spent  the  former  part  of  the  day  in  making 
preparations  for  removing  to  Hamburg. 

"  Saturday,  29th,  came  to  Hamburg.  Stayed  at  Mr.  Johnson 
N.  Gould's. 

"  Sabbath,  30th,  1819.  A  cloudy  day  and  appearance  of 
ram.  Preached  at  the  meeting  house  one  sermon.  The  audience 
was  respectable,  but  1  felt  cold  and  dull,  and  fear  the  sermon  was 
not  much  felt.  Dined  at  Mr.  Itycrson's.  Messrs.  Ford  and  Bruer, 
lawyers,  were  present.  In  the  r.  m.  rode  to  Vernon  and  preach- 
ed at  the  school  house.  The  audience  was  not  large  but  atten- 
tive ;  '  Behold  1  stand  at  the  door  and  knock,  etc'  Spent  the 
night  at  Mr.  Winans'.  Next  day  I  visited  the  school  in  Vernon 
and  exhorted  the  children  to  remember  their  Creator  in  the  days 
of  their  youth.  In  the  i\  At.,  in  company  with  Mr.  Winans,  went 
to  Pochunk  and  heard  Mr.  Vreeland,  a  Methodist,  preach.  Went 
to  Mr.  P.  Kyerson's  where  i  spent  the  night. 

"  Tuesday,  1st  June.     Attended  the  funeral  of  Mr.  B 

once  a  professor  of  religion  but  had  grieviously  apostatized  and 
-died  from  intemperance.  He  is  gone  to  render  up  his  account. 
In  the  afternoon  1  preached  at  the  school  house  near  Mr.  Pyer- 
son's.     Conversed  with  a  young  man  who  was  a  little  serious. 

"  Friday  4th.  Visited  the  school  near  Judge  Linn's.  After 
examining  the  pupils,  addressed  them  on  seeking  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven,  p.  m.,  Visited  a  number  of  families.  Found  Mr. 
Tattle  and  wife  at  the  Big  Spring.  Serious  impressions.  Had 
an  interesting  interview  with  them,  and  particularly  with  two 
men  who  were  laboring  at  his  house.     One  was  niuch'affected  and 


NORTH    HAKDYSTON    AND    HAMBLKG    CHURCHES.  11^ 

thought  he  would,  without  delay,  seek  the  one  tiling  needfuL 
The  other,  his  appi'entice,  appeared  somewhat  impressed,  said  he 
had  forsaken  many  of  his  evil  practices,  but  he  feared  the  scoffs 
and  sneers  of  his  young  companions.  At  the  next  house  found. 
Mr.  Kimble  and  his  wife  both  professors  of  religion.  He  had 
been  in  much  distress  and  lost  his  hope,  but  was  in  a  more  com- 
fortable state  of  mind.  Addressed  a  .young  woman  here  who  was 
careless,  but  promised  to  forsake  her  evil  ways  and  think  of  her 
eternal  concerns.  Hopkins  family — The  man  did  not  seem  very 
happy  to  see  me,  but  invited  me  to  go  into  his  house.  His  wife 
Avas  somewhat  serious.  Came  to  Mr.  English's,  was  detained  by 
a  shower  all  night.  I  saw  him  the  next  morning.  Called  at  the 
Hopkins',  found  Mrs.  II.  serious  and  had  a  conversation  with  her. 
Spent  an  hour  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Smith.  His  case  was  pecu- 
liarly interesting.  A  native  of  Ireland,  he  had  been  a  professor 
of  religion  and  thought  he  enjoyed  its  comforts.  He  appeared 
penitent  and  wept  much.  I  exhorted  him  to  return  unto  the 
Lord  who  would  heal  his  backsliding. 

"  Sabbath,  Oth  June,  North  Church.  Endeavored  to  sup- 
plicate a  throne  of  grace  that  the  Lord  would  this  day  own  and 
bless  my  feeble  labors.  Repaired  to  the  courts  of  the  Lord  and 
found  a  large  assembly  convened.  Had  much  freedom  in  address- 
ing immortal  souls.  'Behold  I  lay  in  Zion,  etc'.  In  the  p.  >i. 
4  Parable  of  the  Supper.'  The  attention  was  good.  Baptised  four 
children.  Attended  sabbath  school  at  the  Stone  S.  House.  Heard 
the  Bible  class. 

"  Monday  T.  In  the  r.  m.  attended  the  monthly  concert  of 
prayer,  at  the  meeting  house.  A  goodly  number  of  people  at- 
tended. Conversed  with  some  persons  on  the  subject  of  religion 
immediately  after  service. 

"  Tuesday,  June  8,  my  birthday.  So  teach  me  Lord  to  num- 
ber my  days,  etc.  With  Judge  Linn  rode  to  Newton,  to  attend 
the  County  Bible  Society,  was  appointed  a  director,  may  I  dis- 
charge my  duties  with  fidelity.  Wednesday,  Bro.  Enos  Osborn, 
laboring  at  Deckertown,  called  on  me  and  spent  the  day.  We 
examined  the  points  on  which  he  expected  next  week  to  be  exam- 
ined by  Presbytery  for  ordination. 

"  Thursday,  p.  m.,  preached  at  the  school  house  [New  Pros- 
pect] near  Mr.  Givans,  to  a  full  and  interesting  house.  Spent  the- 
night  at  Esq.  Buckley's,  an  Elder. 

"Friday  11.  Visited  Mr.  Givens'  family.  Conversed  with 
the  old  gentleman  on  many  points.  He  is  indulging  a  hope. 
Also  with  two  young  women — both  seriously  impressed.  One 
trusted  she  had  found  a  hope  in  the  Lord  Jesus.     Visited  another 


150  IIAK])Y>Tt)X    MEMORIAL. 

family — woman  unconcerned.  Urged  the  necessity  of  seeking  an 
interest  in  the  Savior.  She  appeared  pleased  with  my  visit  and 
desired  me  to  call  again.  Left  a  message  for  a  young  woman  who 
had  hid  herself  at  my  coining.  Visited  Mr.  Buckley's — Found 
Mrs.  B.  and  a  young  woman  under  exercise  of  mind.  ( 'ailed  on 
her  mother-in-law,  a  pious  old  lady.  Dined  at  Israel  Munson's 
and  conversed  with  him  and  his  wife.  Visited  Mrs.  Wade. 
Preached  at  school  house  near  the  Franklin  Furnace.  The  house 
was  filled  with  attentive  hearers." 

These  extracts  exhibit  something  of  Mr.  Allen's  life  and  the 
style  of  his  labors.  He  was  an  earnest  preacher  and  faithful 
pastor.  Those  whom  he  visited  and  conversed  with  were  mostly 
all  in  due  time  brought  to  Christ,  many  of  them  by  his  faithful 
personal  appeals. 

lie  labored  here  for  nearly  two  years,  during  which  time  28 
members  were  received  into  the  North  Church,  and  a  goodly 
number  into  the  Hamburg  Church.  lie  went  to  Deckertown  and 
the  Clove,  and  met  with  wonderful  success,  and  especially  in  his 
labors  at  Beemerville. 

The  following  is  from  the  diary  <>f  Robert  Ogden  : 

''Saturday,  October  23d,  1 824— Went  to  Decker  Town. 
Lodged  at  Mr.  Allen's. 

"'Sabbath  24th — Attended  the  communion  at  the  new  meet- 
ing-house below  the  mountain  in  Wantage  [Beemerville  |  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  Edward  Allen.  A  powerful  and  extensive 
revival  of  religion  has  taken  place  in  that  congregation,  and  the 
congregation  of  the  Clove  and  of  Decker  Town,  now  united  under 
the  care  of  Mr.  Allen.  Over  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  mem- 
bers were  received  into  the  church,  of  whom  more  than  fifty  were 
baptised.  Mr.  Job  Foster  Ilalsey,  a  licentiate  from  the  Seminary 
at  Princeton,  was  there  and  assisted  Mr.  Allen  in  the  administra- 
tion of  the  ordinance.  The  house,  though  large,  was  crowded  to 
overflowing.  The  exercises  of  the  day  were  solemn,  impressive, 
edifying,  and  consoling,  and  in  the  highest  degree  alarming  to  the 
impenitent.  O  my  God,  let  not  the  operations  of  thy  Spirit  be 
suspended,  but  may  they  still  be  visible  among  that  people  and 
also  be  extended  to  this  barren  corner  of  Thy  vineyard." 

Mr.  Allen  was  for  nine  years  in  charge  of  the  Wantage 
Church.  His  field  extended  fifteen  miles  east  and  west,  and  from 
six  to  eight  miles  north  and  south.  Failing  health  compelled  him 
to  suspend  his  labors  for  a  time,  but  lie  resumed  them   later  at 


NORTH  HARDYSTON  AM)  HAMBURG  CHURCHES.         151 

Milford,  Pa.  When  the  Second  Church  of  Wantage  was  organ- 
ized, in  1834,  lie  preached  there  two  years,  and  then  returned 
to  Milford  for  two  years,  lie  had  charge  at  different  times  of 
five  other  churches  in  Pennsylvania,  to  all  of  which  he  came  in 
their  weakness  and  left  them  greatly  strengthened  and  enlarged. 
As  many  as  ten  church  buildings  owe  their  erection  to  his  endeav- 
ors, lie  died  August  1st,  1877,  aged  eighty-five  years.  His  first 
wife  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Elder  John  Linn,  of  Harmony 
Yale,  whom  he  married  while  minister  here.  His  second  wife 
was  the  AVidow  Louisa  T.  Richardson,  of  Harford,  Pa. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  North  Church  Sessional 
Records  : 

"'■  Near  the  close  of  the  year  1S20  the  Rev.  Edward  Allen, 
after  laboring  among  us  as  a  Missionary  a  year  and  a  half,  accepted 
a  call  from  the  Presbyterian  ( 'hurch  and  congregation  of  Wan- 
tage, X.  .1." 

"  During  the  winter  of  IScil  the  congregation  were  convened 
according  to  notice;  when  they  voted  to  give  Rev'd  Burr  Bald- 
win a  call  to  preach  for  them,  either  as  Pastor  or  stated  supply, 
under  an  engagement  to  preach  one-half  his  time  at  the  North 
( 'hurch  and  at  Hamburg  ;  and  the  remainder  of  his  time  at  Erank- 
ford." 

This  invitation  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Baldwin,  and  he  entered 
upon  his  duties  as  a  stated  supply,  having  been  ordained  since  his 
former  service  here.  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  we  know  so 
little  of  this  good  man's  labors  while  for  three  years  our  two 
churches  were  in  his  charge.  During  his  pastorate  twenty-one 
were  added  to  the  membership  of  the  North  Church. 

We  had  no  communion  set  of  our  own.  The  one  belonging 
to  the  Sparta  Church,  given  by  Robert  Ogden,  had  been  some- 
times used  here.  It  was  proposed  that  all  the  farmers'  wives 
should  make  a  contribution  of  butter,  and  as  many  as  possible 
phould  send  a  tub.  This  butter  was  forwarded  to  New  York  for 
sale,  and  with  the  proceeds  was  purchased  the  communion  set^ 
which  is  still  in  use. 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Conkt.ino  succeeded  Mr.  Baldwin  in  June,. 
1 824,  and  was  here  nearly  four  years,  during  which  time  there 
were  thirty-nine  additions  to  the  church.  Except  from  the  Ses- 
sion book  little  information  remains  respecting  his  ministrations, 


1T>2  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

but  we  may  judge  from  these   records  that   he   was  a  useful  man 
and  faithful  to  his  calling. 

He  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  by  the  Presbytery  of  .New- 
ton, November  19th,  1S23,  preached  in  Indiana  and  Illinois, 
labored  in  Pennsylvania,  and  died  at  Tyrone  City,  Pa.,  about 
186G.  Rev  Nathaniel  W.  Conkling,  I).  P.,  of  Xew  York  city, 
is  his  son. 


&/3^ 


CHAPTER  XI. 

MINISTRY  OF  DR.   1  AI  K<  II 1  I.I  >  AM)  MR.  CAMPBELL. 

In  September,  182t>,  began  the  ministry  of  Elias  Riggs 
FairchilDj  who  served  the  church  exclusively  for  nine  years,  with 
the  exception  of  nearly  twelve  months,  when  the  state  of  his 
health  required  rest,  and  Rev.  Stephen  Thomson  supplied  his 
place. 

"When  the  North  Church  was  burned  the  congregation  was 
greatly  disheartened.  The  session  gathered  around  the  smoking 
ruins,  and  the  question  was  asked,  what  shall  Ave  do  now  ?  Amid 
the  tears  of  the  old  Elders,  Dr.Fairchild  answered,  we  must  build 
again.  Dr.  Fowler  headed  a  subscription  list  with  $100,  and 
others  came  forward  liberally.  Dr.  Fairchild  circulated  the  sub- 
scription paper  at  home  and  in  other  places.  Stated  worship  was 
held  under  the  trees  in  the  orchard,  as  long  as  the  weather  per- 
mitted. The  new  house  was  dedicated  on  Friday,  May  Oth,  1831, 
fourteen  months  after  the  fire.  Rev.  Peter  Kanouse  preached  on 
the  occasion  from  Isaiah,  54:2.  Rev.  Mr.  Allen  was  pre- 
sent and  participated  in  the  exercise-;,  which  were  solemn  and 
impressive. 

The  attendance  at  the  new  church  was  soon  greatly  increased. 
In  the  fall  and  early  winter  of  this  year  the  work  of  God's  Spirit 
was  manifested,  and  sixty  united  with  the  church  during  1831. 
The  following  sessional  record  is  made  November  26th,  1832: 
u  In  the  early  part  of  September  the  special  influences  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  were  shed  forth  on  different  sections  of  the  church. 
The  members  soon  manifested  a  deeper  interest   in  the    tilings  of 


154  HARDYSTON  MEMORIAL. 

religion,  and  many  of  the  unbelieving  community  were  converted 
to  God."      Sixty-seven  were  received  into  the  church  this  year.. 

In  1  833  there  were  but  five  additions,  while  in  1834  twenty- 
six  are  recorded.  None  were  received  in  1835,  and  seventeen 
were  added  in  1836. 

A  woman's  prayer  meeting  was  held  on  week  day  afternoons 
at  the  different  houses.  The  ladies  met  for  co-operative  work,  in 
sewing  and  making  garments  for  the  poor,  and  their  tract  society 
carried  the  gospel  message  once  a  month  to  every  house.  Thus 
the  woman's  societies,  now  so  universal,  were  all  anticipated  in 
Our  female  organization,  which  was  in  active  service  a  half  cen- 
tury ago. 

"  Neighborhood  prayer  meetings  "  were  held  in  every  part 
of  the  congregation.  The  young  men  would  walk  long  distances, 
often  after  a  hard  day's  work  upon  the  farm,  and  take  their  part 
in  prayer,  and  if  required  conduct  the  meetings.  From  eight  and 
ten  miles  distant  the  people  drove  to  the  North  Church.  "When 
there  was  much  religious  interest  the  church  was  overcrowded 
and  benches  were  kept  to  be  placed  in  the  aisles.  Mr.  Fairchild 
preached  and  lectured  night  after  night,  gaining  the  solemn  and 
fixed  attention  of  his  hearers.  He  had  power  in  almost  compell- 
ing careless  families  to  come  to  the  house  of  worship,  and  when 
they  became  hearers  for  a  time,  they  were  soon  brought  to  an 
awakened  state. 

Caleb  Fairchild  settled  at  Whippany,  Morris  County,  N.  '1., 
about  1735.  Ezra  Fairchild,  his  son,  married  Prisilla  Burt,  and 
removed  to  Mendham,  in  1702.  He  was  in  Washington's  army, 
and  died  of  small  pox,  contracted  while  the  army  lay  near  Mor- 
ristown.  He  had  four  daughters  and  two  sons.  Ebenezer  was  the 
youngest  child,  born  January  18th,  1770,  married  Phebe  Vance 
in  1797,  and  died  July,  1869,  in  his  ninety-fourth  year.  He  had 
been  a  Ruling  Elder  in  the  1st  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mendham 
for  seventy  years.  His  wife  attained  almost  as  great  an  age  as 
himself.  They  were  both  marked  by  great  simplicity  of  charac- 
ter and  earnestness  in  christian  life.  They  had  two  sons,  Ezra, 
a  successful  teacher  and  principal  of  an  Academical  school  for 
many  years,  and  Elias  Riggs. 


MINISTRY    OF    DR.    FAIRCHILD    AM)    MR.    CAMPBELL.  155 

Elias  Riggs  Fairchild,  D.  D.,  was  born  near  Mendham, 
N.  J.,  August  17th,  1801.  His  boyhood  was  spent  upon  his 
father's  farm.  Resolving  to  prepare  for  the  ministry,  lie  secured 
a  classical  education,  graduated  at  a  New  England  College,  and  at 
Auburn  Theological  Seminary  in  1S27.  He  was  soon  after 
licensed  and  did  missionary  service  in  Western  New  York.  Some 
of  his  sermons  were  prepared  with  great  care,  yet  he  had  remark- 
able facility  in  speaking,  and  some  of  his  happiest  efforts  were 
made  upon  the  emergency.  At  times  he  rose  to  eloquence  and 
his  appeals  were  most  touching.  He  sought  to  reach  the  hearts 
of  his  hearers,  and  the  love  of  Christ  was  his  constant  theme. 
Vet  lie  did  not  fail  to  persuade  men  by  the  terrors  of  the  Lord. 

lie  was  three  times  called  to  the  church  of  Montgomery, 
X.  Y.,  and  as  many  times  installed  its  pastor.  He  served  as  Sec- 
retary of  the  American  Home  Missionary  Societ}r,  and  afterwards 
of  the  American  and  Foreign  Christian  Union.  These  positions 
required  severe  labor,  and  the  exercise  of  much  courage  and  faith, 
but  under  his  management  both  of  these  organizations  prospered 
and  sent  out  many  young  men. 

He  was  eminent  in  building  up  feeble  churches.  It  was  his 
habit  to  go  to  a  weak  congregation  and  devote  himself  to  it  for  a 
tew  years.  Large  revivals  usually  followed,  and  under  his  prac- 
tical suggestions,  debts  would  be  paid,  and  the  salary  raised  for  a 
new  minister.  lie  would  then  consider  his  work  complete  in 
that  field  and  go  to  another. 

After  a  painful  illness  he  died  at  Morristowu  April  22d, 
1878,  in  joyful  contidence  of  entering  the  rest  which  remaineth 
for  the  people  of  God,  and  his  grave  is  at  Mendham.  His  funeral 
was  largely  attended  and  devout  men  carried  him  to  his  burial. 
Representatives  were  present  from  many  churches  for  whom  he 
had  labored,  and  to  whom  he  had  been  a  blessing. 

He  has  written  an  autobiography,  intended  only  for  the 
perusal  of  his  most  intimate  friends,  but  I  have  been  permitted  to 
copy,  for  insertion,  that  portion  of  it  which  includes  his  ministry 

here. 

narrative  ok  labors  at  north  iiardyston  church. 

-  In  July,  18-20,  a  delegate  from  the  North.   Church  of  liar- 


L50  HAKt)YSTON    MEMORIAL. 

dyston,  in  Sussex  County,  X.  J.,  (Mr.  Andrew  Linn,  one  of  the 
elders  of  the  church,)  called  on  me  in  Mendham,  JS\  J.,  to  lay 
before  me  the  claims  of  the  church  and  vicinity,  which  he  repre- 
sented, and  to  engage  my  services  there  if  the  way  was  clear  for 
so  doing. 

"Mr.  Linn  returned  to  his  place  and  under  date  of  August 
5th,  1829,  at  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  of  North  llardyston 
and  Hamburg,  a  paper  was  adopted,  expressive  of  the  desire  of 
the  congregations  for  my  services  among  them,  in  the  gospel  min- 
istry, with  the  understanding  that  public  preaching  be  held  on  the 
Sabbath  days,  in  the  churches  alternately.  After  maturely  con- 
sidering the  call  to  this  field  of  labor,  its  claims  grew  upon  me 
and  drew  me  toward  it  with  unusual  force.  It  was  a  rural  con- 
gregation, extending  iii  length  froni  ten  to  twelve  miles,  (from 
Lafayette  to  Vernon)  and  in  width  six  to  seven  miles,  (from 
Ogdensburg  to  limits  of  the  Baptist  Church,  near  Deckertown). 
There  were  but  30  names  on  the  church  roll  of  members,  and  but 
a  small  sum  could  be  raised  for  the  annual  support  of  the  minister. 
I  early  signified  that  I  would  come  to  them  if  Providence  should 
permit,  about  the  middle  of  the  month  of  August. 

"I  succeeded  in  arranging  my  affairs  so  as  to  keep  my  ap- 
pointment. Mrs.  Fairchild  accompanied  me.  We  were  very  cor- 
dially received  into  the  family  of  Mr.  .Joseph  Linn,  and  made 
onr  home  in  his  house  about  nine  months.  The  following  May 
we  removed  to  the  parsonage,  near  the  church,  which  the  congre- 
gation had  purchased. 

"  Religious  services  were  maintained  in  each  of  the  churches 
alternately  on  Sundays.  In  a  short  time  several  stations  for 
preaching  were  established  outside  of  the  church  edifices.  Sab- 
bath Schools,  Bible  classes,  and  meetings  for  prayer,  were  in  time 
set  up  and  maintained  at  various  points,  with  manifest  good  re- 
sults. In  March,  1830,  the  congregation  of  the  North  Church 
sustained  a  great  shock  from  the  burning  of  their  church  edifice. 
It  was  scarcely  finished.  It  was  not  insured.  The  loss  was  there- 
fore absolute  and  total.  To  the  friends  of  the  church  it  was  a 
previous  affliction  ;  and  over-cast  them  all  with  sadness,  intensified 
by  the  impression  that  the  fire  was  the  work  of  an  incendiary. 
But  this  sad  event  was  made  the  occasion  of  good.  A  deeper 
interest  in  church  affairs  was  by  it  awakened,  and  a  resolution  to 
build  another  and  better  house  was  quickly  entertained.  Event- 
ually subscriptions  were  opened  for  funds  to  supply  the  loss. 
Suitable  persons  were  appointed  to  canvass  the  territory  and  see 
what  could  be  obtained  of  cash,  labor,  or  materials.  When 
this  work    was    fairly    and   encouragingly  underway.   I  repaired 


MINISTRY    OF    DR.    FA1BCHILD    AND   MR.    CAMPBELL.  157 

to  Newark,  Elizabethtown  and  various  places  in  Somerset 
and  Morris  counties,  New  Jersey,  and  solicited  funds.  I  also 
visited  some  parts  of  Pennsylvania  for  the  same  object.  At  Mil- 
ford  very  handsome  contributions  in  lumber  were  made.  The 
offerings  of  kthe  people  of  the  parish,  and  the  contributions  of 
friends  outside  of  it,  completed  the  work,  and  when  the  house 
was  dedicated  it  was  wholly  paid  for. 

"  When  the  new  stone  church  was  completed  the  people  con- 
sented to  make  it  the  central  point  for  worship  every  Sabbath 
morning.  Afternoon  and  evening  services,  Sundays  and  week 
days,  were  held  at  Hamburg  and  in  the  different  neighborhoods. 
One  organized  Presbyterian  Church,  and  one  board  of  Elders  only 
existed  in  the  territory,  and  all  church  members  were  members  of 
the  North  Church  of  Hardyston. 

"  In  seasons  of  revivals,  the  members  were  always  ready  to 
cooperate  with  me  in  visiting  from  house  to  house, and  conversing 
with  the  anxious  in  the'  inquiry  room,  and  in  any  other  service 
which  they  could  render  Several  remarkable  revivals  o(  religion 
were  enjo}'ed.  On  one  of  these  occasions  almost  every  part  of  the 
territory  seemed  more  or  less  affected,  and  the  people  were  anx- 
ious to  attend  religious  meetings.  ( )beying  the  Providential  indi- 
cations services  were  opened  in  the  church  edifice,  and  continued 
daily  and  nightly  for  considerable  time.  As  one  of  the  results 
about  one  hundred  persons  professed  conversion  to  Christ ;  and 
at  a  communion  service,  which  included  two  Sabbaths  consecu- 
tively, seventy-five  were  admitted  to  membership.  Some  of  the 
converts  sought  connection  with  Baptist  and  Methodist  Churches 
in  the  neighborhood.  Other  seasons  of  special  interest  in  religion 
were  enjoyed  where-iu  numbers  were  converted  and  added  to  the 
church  ;  but  they  were  of  more  limited  extent.  By  the  Lord's 
blessing  a  valuable  church  and  congregation  grew  up  on  that  ground, 
having  in  1838  a  good  church  edifice  of  stone,  a  parsonage  with 
barn  and  other  outbuildings,  and  several  acres  of  plow  and  meadow 
and  wood  land.  There  was  a  communion  list  of  a  little  more  than 
two  hundred  (200)  members,  of  these  about  150  had  been  added 
by  profession.  My  closing  services  at  the  North  ( !lrarch  were 
held  Sunday,  May  loth,  1838.  In  that  week  I  went  to  Mont- 
gomery, N.  Y. 

Rev.  Joel  Campbell  came  from  Ilonesdale,  Penn.,  and 
took  charge  of  the  North  Church  May,  1838.  His  ministry  was 
a  long  one,  continuing  unbroken  for  eighteen  years,  when  he 
purchased  a  farm  in  western  Pennsylvania,  to  which  he  removed. 
On   account  of  sickness  he   came  back  after  six  months,  and  en- 


!.'•>  HAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

gaged  to  supply  the  congregation  for  a  short  time.  He  was  in- 
strumental in  organizing  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Layafette, 
a  number  of  whose  early  members  went  from  us  by  certificates. 
\\ hen  Mr.  Campbell, came  the  church  had  reached  its  greatest 
advance  in  numbers  and  strength.  The  corrected  roll  showed  a 
membership  of  two  hundred,  earnest,  intelligent  christians,  and 
well  Organized  for  christian  work.  The  parsonage  house  was  in 
good  repair,  with  fourteen  acres  of  land  attached.  The  salary  of 
$450  was  paid  every  year,  although  with  some  delays.  Mr. 
I  ampbell  purchased  additional  land  to  the  amount  of  twenty 
acres,  and  after  a  time  built  a  new  house  on  his  own  ground,  now 
the  residence  of  Elder  S.  O.  Price,  and  rented  out  the  church  par- 
sonage. 

In  entering  upon  his  labors  lie  followed  Mr.  Faircliild  in  his 
appointments,  but  left  out  the  more  remote  stations.  I  do  not 
think  lie  went  at  all  to  Vernon,  where  at  one  time  there  were  so 
many  Presbyterian  families  that  efforts  were  made  toward  build- 
ing a  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  village.  The  enterprise  fell 
through,  and  the  people  went  to  Amity,  or  united  with  the  Vernon 
Methodist  Church,  which  was  formed  in  1837.  Some  of  the 
Vernon    members  long  continued  their  names  upon  our  roll. 

Mr.  ( 'ampbell  usually  preached  three  times  on  the  Sabbath, 
but  had  not  the  physical  ability  to  hold  fom-  or  five  other  meet- 
ing.- through  the  week,  as  some  of  his  predecessors  had  done.  He 
won  the  affection  of  the  children,  and  was  considered  peculiarly 
happy  in  his  addresses  upon  funeral  occasions.  Two  revivals  of 
religion  took  place  under  his  ministry.  One  in  lS-i'2,  when  thirty- 
six  were  received  into  the  church.  The  work  commenced  in  the 
?uinmer,  and  reached  its  greatest  power  in  September  and  Octo- 
ber. Rev.  Mr.  Allen  and  Mr.  Conklin  assisted  in  the  extra  servi- 
ces which  were  held.  The  word  came  with  great  power,  and  on 
several  occasions  the  evening  exercises  in  the  church  were  accom- 
panied by  weeping  throughout  the  house.  An  inquiry  meeting  be- 
fore evening  service  was  held  at  the  parsonage,  to  which  many  of 
the  young  would  resort  in  distress  of  mind,  and  to  obtain  spiritual 
direction.  The  scenes  of  Mr.  Fairchild's  day  were  repeated,  and 
the  little  parlor  became  again  the  hallowed  spot  where  souls  en- 


MIMSTKY    OF    l>K.     FAIRCIIILD    AM)    Ml;.    CAMPBELL.  150 

tercd  the  kingdom  of  God.  The  1st  of  January,  184^,  was  a 
memorable  day,  when  twenty-six  stocd  up  to  profess  their  faith 
in  Christ,  and  to  come  for  the  first  time  to  the  Lord's  table.  There 
was  one  man  of  sixty-five  years,  but  most  were  young  and  more 
than  half  were  under  twenty.  Mr.  (  'ampbell  was  very  tender  and 
judicious  in  dealing  with  awakened  consciences. 

The  second  revival  occurred  in  1850.  Early  in  the  fall 
special  meetings  were  held  at  the  church  in  which  Mr.  Campbell 
was  assisted  by  a  young  evangelist,  who  went  freely  in  and  out 
among  the  seats  speaking  with  those  in  attendance.  The  singing 
of  familiar  hymns  had  much  influence  in  arresting  attention  and 
carrying  the  truth  home  to  the  heart.  This  revival  was  not  as 
widespread  and  remarkable  as  the  previous  one,  and  yet  through 
it  twenty-four  were  gathered  into  the  church. 

An  annual  donation  party  for  the  minister's  benefit  was  given 
at  the  parsonage.  Few  gifts  were  in  money,  and  they  were  more 
commonly  of  farm  products,  useful  in  the  household.  The  farm- 
ers brought  oats,  wheat  and  rye  ;  their  wives  linen  and  woolen 
yarn,  and  the  merchants  contributed  sugar,  coffee  and  tea.  The 
married  people  came  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  "  young  folks'' 
in  the  evening.  <  )ne  winter  the  young  men  of  Franklin  presented 
Mr.  Campbell  with  a  handsome  broad  cloth  cloak,  which  he  wore 
for  many  years  afterwards. 

Mr.  Campbell  took  charge  of  the  Lafayette  Church,  and  con- 
tinued its  pastor  until  the  Rev.  Jetho  B.  Woodward  was  installed 
by  Newton  Presbytery,  lie  purchased  a  house  in  Lafayette  vil- 
lage to  which  he  removed,  making  it  his  home  until  his  death, 
May  15th,  1872,  in  his  seventy-sixth  year.  He  was  buried  in 
North  Church  Cemetery  in  a  lot  donated  for  that  purpose  by  the 
Trustees.  His  wife,  son,  daughter  and  son-in-law  are  buried  in 
the  same  plot.  His  daughter,  Amanda,  became  the  wife  of  David 
Hopkins  Kimble.  His  son,  Joel,  began  to  study  for  the  ministry, 
and  was  for  a  time  a  student  in  Princeton  ( 'ollege,  but  soon 
changed  his  purpose,  serving  in  the'  army  during  apart  of  the  war 
of  the  rebellion. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


(Ill  KCIl    HISTORY   CONTINUED. 


Rev.  David  C.  Meeker  came  to  the  North  Church  April 
1st,  1S57.  He  had  been  preaching  at  Deerfield,  X.  J.,  and  at 
Darby,  near  Philadelphia.  The  matter  was  under  discussion 
whether  to  repair  or  rebuild  the  parsonage.  Mr.  Meeker  was  so 
urgent  for  the  new  house  that  the  congregation  decided  to  build 
if  the  means  could  be  raised.  A  subscription  paper  was  prepared 
and  placed  in  the  hands  of  my  aunt,  the  widow  T.  .V.  Austin. 
Her  perseverance  and  activity  secured  the  amount,  and  the  new 
building  soon  arose  not  far  from  the  old  site,  and  is  the  present 
parsonage  of  the  congregation.  The  old  one,  which  has  the  date 
of  17sS  on  the  chimney,  Mas  remodeled,  and  has  since  been  the 
home  of  the  sexton. 

Daring  the  year  1858  much  religious  feeling  existed  in  the 
congregation,  and  a  few  extra  meetings  were  held.  These  closed 
abruptly  after  two  weeks  continuance,  and  the  result  was  the  in- 
gathering of  sixteen  souls.  The  total  addition  during  Mr.  Meek- 
«er's  ministry  was  nineteen. 

He  left  the  church  in  August,  1859,  and  returned  to  Darby, 
Pa.,  where  he  died  a  few  years  later. 

The  Rev.  Goodloe  Bowman  Pell  is  the  only  survivor  of  the 
former  ministers  of  the  North  Hardyston  Church,  and  is  now 
pas  tor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Amenia,  IV.  Y. 


CHURCH    HISTORY    CONTINUED.  L6I 

He  was  the  son  of  the  late  Hon.  Samuel  and  Louisa  Bell,  and 
was  born  at  Reading,  Pa.,  dune  14th,  1832.  After  graduating-  at 
Yale  College  in  1852,  lie  made  an  extended  tour  in  Europe,  and 
on  his  return  entered  the  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  New 
York  City,  where  lie  graduated  in  1850.  He  was  ordained  by  the 
Fourth  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  at  Norristown,  Pa.,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1S59,  and  immediately  after  took  charge  of  the  North  Church. 
He  married  Annie  Augustine  Austin,  the  only  daughter  of  Mrs. 
T.  A.  Austin  and  neice  of  Daniel  Haines,  who  died  at  Amcnia  in 
1887. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Bell's  advent  extensive  repairs  were  made 
upon  the  church  building.  The  roof  was  slated,  and  the  whole 
interior  changed.  The  pulpit  which  formerly  stood  between  the 
doors  was  placed  on  the  opposite  side,  and  the  seats  reversed. 
The  alterations  made  transformed  the  house  into  a  neat  and  com- 
modious place  of  worship.  The  attendance  upon  the  services  in- 
creased largely  when  the  church  was  reopened,  and  new  members 
were  added. 

The  civil  war  came  with  its  excitements  and  occupied  much 
of  the  thoughts  of  the  community.  Soldiers  were  recruited,  and 
many  of  the  young  men  volunteered.  Three  companies  were 
chiefly  raised  from  within  the  bounds  of  the  congregation,  besides 
individuals  who  joined  other  military  organizations.  The  ladies 
formed  a  soldier's  relief  society,  and  made  lint  and  garments,  and 
knit  stockings  for  their  friends  in  camp,  in  all  this  patriotic 
work  Mr.  Pell  heartily  sympathized  and  co-operated.  His  own 
brother,  Captain  Bowman  Bell,  fell  in  battle. 

Mr.  Bell  writes,  "  The  North  Church  was  up  to  the  highest 
standard  of  patriotism,  and  freely  gave  '  its  boys'  to  save  our  coun- 
try. When  1  went  to  Hardyston  inlS59  the  first  to  welcome  me 
was  Thomas  P.  Haines.  The  last  service  1  rendered  as  pastor 
was  to  officiate  at  his  funeral ;  he  had  fallen  upon  the  battle  field 
in  Virginia,  and  was  buried  October,  1864,  and  the  entire  com- 
munity were  mourners." 

Sunday  evening  services  were  held   at  Franklin    Furnace 
where  the  school  house  was  often  crowded.     <  )ther  stations  were 
visited  in  their  turn  on  Sabbath  afternoons.     Mr.  Bell  was  an  ex- 


162  UAliHYSTOS     MEMORIAL. 

cellent  musician,  and  often  led  the  singing,  which  formed  an  at- 
tractive part  of  the  exercises.  The  whole  number  added  to  the 
membership  during  his  five  years  term  of  service  was  seventeen, 
lie  was  called  to  Hope  ( 'Impel,  a  mission  enterprise  of  the  Brick 
( 'liurch  of  New  York,  and  resigned  his  charge  here  October  1st, 
1  s'i4,  and  removed  to  the  city. 

My  own  ministry  in  Ilardyston  began  at  the  close  of  my 
connection  with  the  army.  After  three  years  service  as  Chap- 
lain of  the  15th  Regiment,  X.  J.  Volunteers,  I  visited  my  home 
and  was  asked  to  preach  the  first  Sabbath  of  July,  1865.  Before 
service  a  paper  was  given  me  with  thirty  signatures  representing 
the  families  of  the  congregation.  This  was  a  call  inviting  me  to 
become  their  pastor,  and  stating  that  it  was  the  unanimous  wish 
of  the  people  that  I  should  settle  among  them.  A  few  days  later 
I. signified  my  acceptance  of  this  invitation,  and  have  continued 
here  ever  since.  The  only  breaks  in  this  relation  were  one  of  nine 
months,  when  I  went  to  Palestine  in  the  service  of  the  American 
Palestine  Exploration  Society  in  L8T3,  and  another  when  I  re- 
ceived a  second  leave  of  absence  from  my  church  for  six  months 
in  1876  to  visit  and  make  explorations  in  the  Sinai  Desert. 

1  was  never  installed  here  by  action  of  Presbytery,  but  with- 
out the  ceremony  of  an  installation  I  have  been  just  as  much  the 
pastor,  and  the  congregation  my  people.  This  relation  has  been 
preserved  when  all  the  churches  in  the  counties  of  Warren  and 
Sussex,  with  a  single  exception,  have  changed  their  ministers,  and 
after  very  short  pastorates. 

The  membership  of  the  church  in  1865  was  by  the  roll  of 
Mr.  Bell  thirty-eight.  To  say  that  the  church  was  feeble  does 
not  fully  describe  it.  A  former  pastor  said,  "  It  was  weakness 
itself."  The  attendance  at  the  church,  excepting  upon  funeral 
occasions,  had  been  reduced  to  a  mere  handful.  One  Sunday 
School  was  held  at  Franklin  Furnace  with  about  forty  scholars. 
There  was  no  prayer  meeting  or  weekly  lecture,  and  but  one  ad- 
dition had  been  made  to  the  membership  for  over  three  years. 
There  were  two  elders,  my  father,  Daniel  Haines,  who  was  mostly 
a  resident  of  Newark,  where  he  held  his  courts,  and  .lames  Oon- 
gleton,  eighty-five  years  old.    I  had  therefore  to  walk  by  faith  and 


CHURCH    HISTORY    CONTINUED.  10-1 

not  by  sight  when  J  declined  other  invitations  and  determined  to 
remain  in  my  native  place. 

We  began  with  service  every  Sabbath  morning  at  the  North 
Church,  and  preaching  every  Sabbath  evening  in  the  old  school 
house  at  Franklin.  On  Sabbath  afternoons  I  preached  in  the 
school  houses  at  Harmony  Vale,  at  New  Prospect  and  Monroe- 
Corners.  Our  progress  was  very  slow.  AYe  reported  to  Presbytery 
forty  members  in  the  spring  of  1800,  forty-two  in  1807.  and  sixty- 
seven  in  1808. 

In  the  fall  of  1807  and  the  winter  following  there  was 
special  concern  for  eternal  things  in  the  North  Church  Sunday 
School,  and  several  boys  and  young  men  were  converted.  We 
soon  began' extra  services,  with  meetings  for  inquirers  at  Mr. 
Price's  house.  Quite  a  number  came  to  these  inquiry  meetings, 
some  of  whom  became  hopefully  pious.  The  work  promised  to 
become  more  general,  yet  did  not  attain  the  dimensions  expected. 
Still  the  year  1868  was  one  of  blessing,  and  in  L869  we  reported 
a  membership  of  seventy-three,  having  almost  doubled  onr  num- 
bers in  three  years. 

In  the  fall  of  1870  the  presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  was  ver\ 
marked.  Much  prayer  prevailed,  the  meetings  were  well  attended, 
and  throughout  the  congregation  there  was  great  tenderness  of 
feeling.  I  invited  the  Rev.  Almon  Underwood  to  assist  me  \'<>v  a 
fortnight.  Conversions  took  place  at  Hamburg; the  North  <  'hureh. 
and  at  Franklin,  and  in  the  neighborhoods  where  we  held  cottage 
meetings,  and  the  school  house  appointments.  In  the  spring  oi 
1 S71  the  membership  was  98,  with  the  addition  of  thirty-one  re- 
ceived the  year  previous.  This  was  the  largest  increase  for  more 
than  thirty  years. 

By  1877  we  had  attained  the  number  of  117 :  having  in 
eleven  years  trebled  our  membership.  From  this  time  we  began 
to  suffer  by  deaths  and  removals,  and  the  strength  of  the  church 
was  greatly  diminished.  We  continued  to  receive  additions  bul 
these  were  outnumbered  by  our  losses.  In  1881  we  were  reduced 
as  low  as  SI  members.  In  1882  we  had  but  85;  in  LSSS,  Ui, 
and  in  1884,  99. 

Until  the  summer  of  1883  I  had  not    been    confined    t«.    r.lic 


1(>4  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

house  by  sickness  for  many  years;  then  I  was  laid  aside  from 
parish  duties  for  more  than  a  month.  The  following  summer,  not 
being  in  good  health,  I  went  to  the  sea  shore  in  hope  of  benefit, 
and  was  taken  seriously  ill  at  Berlin,  Maryland,  the  place  of  my 
first  settlement  in  the  ministry.  Although  enabled  to  return 
home  after  a  few  weeks,  it  was  long  before  my  strength  was 
regained.  While  laid  aside,  the  services  of  the  Sabbath  were  sus- 
tained by  the  Elders  and  church  members. 

At  the  communion  service  in  November,  18S4,  three  were 
added  by  profession.  Some  seriousness  was  shown,  and  as  much 
as  my  strength  allowed,  I  held  extra  prayer  meetings  in  private 
houses.  The  attendance  was  small  at  first,  but  after  a  few  conver- 
sions had  taken  place  the  numbers  increased  until  our  rooms  were 
crowded.  A  memorable  meeting  was  held  one  evening  in  the 
house  then  occupied  by  Theodore  Talmadge,  whose  wife  was 
dying  witli  consumption.  There  was  no  special  indication  of  feel- 
ing until  near  the  close  of  the  meeting,  when  the  presence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  was  manifest.  Tears  and  sobs  filled  theroom  as  one 
young  person  after  another  asked  our  prayers,  or  declared  the 
inten  tion  of  accepting  Christ.  The  house  was  afterwards  burned, 
but  the  memory  of  the  meeting  has  not  yet  passed  away. 
Another  prayer  meeting  was  held  in  my  own  house,  when  twenty 
arose  to  say  they  had  found  Jesus  precious  to  their  souls.  When 
we  held  the  spring  communion  a  large  number  at  Hamburg  were 
received  into  the  church. 

Much  seriousness  prevailed  in  the  -North  Church  part  of  the 
congregation.  Several  who  attended  meetings  at  Monroe  Corners, 
professed  conversion  there,  but  came  back  to  unite  with  their  own 
church.  We  had  no  help  from  other  ministers,  and  "my  strength 
and  powers  were  limited,  but  Cod  showed  us  that  we  were  more- 
dependent  for  success  upon   him   than   any  ability   of   our  own. 

At  the  spring  meeting  of  Presbytery,  1SS5,  we  reported  an 
accession  during  the  year  of  forty-two  upon  profession  of  faith, 
and  ten  by  letter,  making  the  total  membership  142.  In  1880 
we  reported  fifteen  added  upon  profession;  and  in  1S8T,  twelve 
accessions,  the  entire  membership  being  162,  the  greatest  number 
for  more  than  forty  years. 


CHURCH    HISTORY    CONTINUED.  165 

As  in  the  winter  of  1870  and  1871,  so  at  this  time,  simulta- 
neously with  our  own  church's  quickening,  was  there  a  season  of 
awakening  at  Pudeville,  when  numbers  were  reclaimed  from  a 
careless,  worldly  life. 

In  18G5  there  was  but  one  Sunday  School,  held  at  Franklin, 
in  a  room  over  the  store  house,  with  forty  scholars.  The  North 
Church  Sunday  School,  instituted  in  1818,  had  been  suspended. 
We  re-opened  it,  at  first  with  few  present,  but  the  second  and 
third  year  it  grew  to  be  the  largest  ever  held  within  our  congrega- 
tion, the  average  attendance  for  the  season  being  ninety  scholars 
and  teachers.  It  was  held  before  morning  service,  and  often  the 
house  of  worship  would  be  well  filled  with  the  school.  As  before 
noticed  some  of  our  earliest  conversions  were  among  the  scholars. 
The  Sunday  School  at  Franklin  enlarged  and  was  transferred  to 
the  school  house,  and  afterwards  to  the  church,  where  it  became 
almost  as  large  as  the  one  at  the  North  Church. 

We  organized  Sunday  Schools  at  Harmony  Yale  and  New 
Prospect,  which  were  maintained  several  summers  with  full  num- 
bers, but  were  closed  in  the  winter.  The  wants  of  the  population 
upon  the  Hamburg  Mountain  were  brought  to  our  notice,  and  a 
Sabbath  School  was  opened  in  a  log  house.  This  led  to  the  build- 
ing of  the  Log  Chapel,  and  the  maintenance  of  a  Sunday  school 
for  several  years.  The  school  has  had  as  many  as  eighty  schol- 
ars, and  its  influence  for  good  is  still  felt  in  that  mountain  com- 
munity. We  succeeded  in  having  a  common  school  district  set 
off  to  give  the  children  the  opportunity  of  instruction.  Itev. 
Nathaniel  Petti t  was  the  County  School  Superintendent ;  we 
secured  his  interest  in  the  enterprise,  and  he  appointed  Patrick 
McManus  its  first  teacher.  A  large  number  of  children  and  youth 
who  were  growing  up  in  ignorance,  learned  to  read,  and  were 
taught  the  principles  of  religion.  This  Sunday  School  was  for 
several  years  mainly  sustained  through  the  efforts  of  an  Elder, 
who  with  great  fidelity  continued  to  go  there  at  all  seasons. 

When  our  five  Sunday  schools  were  in  full  prosperity  we  had 
two  hundred  and  fifty  scholars  ;  the  yearly  gatherings  at  the  North 
Church  to  celebrate  our  anniversary  brought  them  all  together, 
and  we  often  gave  dinner  under  the   trees  to  five  hundred    per- 


166  IIAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

sons,  old  and  young.  Thanksgiving  evening  was  another  occasion 
when  the  old  church  would  be  filled  with  boys  and  girls. 

The  Sunday  School  at.  Hamburg,  in  the  new  Presbyterian 
Church,  was  organized  the  first  Sabbath  in  December,  1869,  and 
has  since  continued  without  intermission.  It  drew  somewhat 
from  the  North  Church,  but  the  majority  of  its  scholars  first 
attended  here. 

AVe  may  speak  of  some  of  the  enterprises  successfully  carried 
out  by  our  congregation.  Very  early  attention  was  directed  to 
the  old  graveyard.  It  was  overgrown  with  briars,  and  had  be- 
come like  the  churchyard  of  Stoke  Pogis,  a  neglected  spot.  Ad- 
ditional land  was  purchased  to  the  extent  of  one  acre  and  a  tenth, 
which  was  enclosed  with  the  old  part  by  a  wall,  and  laid  out  in 
lots.  Their  sale  has  covered  all  the  expenses  incurred  in  the  pur- 
chase, grading  and  planting  the  cemetery  with  evergreen  trees. 
In  sixteen  years  the  new  ground  was  so  fully  occupied  as  to  make 
a  futher  enlargement  necessary..  Four  more  acres  were  bought  in 
1885,  and  the  ground  is  in  process  of  preparation,  with  some  of 
the  lots  already  occupied.  The  death  of  Benjamin  Northrop  oc- 
curred in  1774,  as  inscribed  upon  his  tombstone,  and  this  spot  was 
set  apart  and  \\m><1  as  a  burial  place  as  early  as  that  year  if  not  be- 
fore. 

The  crowded  audiences  at  the  Franklin  school  house  seemed 
to  demand  better  accommodations  there.  The  new  owners  of  the 
furnace  and  mines  were  spending  much  money,  and  expressed 
their  purpose  of  making  the  place  a  great  manufacturing  town. 

At  first  we  intended  to  erect  a  very  modest  chapel  in  propor- 
tion to  our  means.  After  a  while  a  lease  was  effected  upon  the 
stone  church  for  ten  years.  This  belonged  to  the  "  First  Particu- 
lar Baptist  Society  of  Franklin,"  whose  membership  was  greatly 
reduced  by  removals  and  deaths.  The  walls  were  very  substantial, 
but  the  wooden  parts  of  the  structure  were  much  out  of  repair. 
AVe  expended  one  thousand  dollars  in  renovating  the  church,  and 
it  was  opened  for  service  in  the  fall  of  1867.  The  services  were 
well  attended,  and  we  soon  gathered  a  membership  of  thirty.  The 
frequent  changes  among  the  workmen  in  the  mines  and  furnace 
sent  away  many  religious  men  and  their  families,  and  other  influ- 


CHURCH    HISTORY    CONTINUED.  16T 

ences  prevented  the  growth  of  a  permanent  and  strong  organiza- 
tion. In  the  spring  of  1875  by  the  vote  of  the  congregation  at 
their  annual  meeting,  and  by  the  order  of  the  Session,  our  servi- 
ces at  Franklin  were  suspended,  and  we  ceased  to  have  stated 
preaching  at  the  church. 

Many  of  our  families  at  Hamburg  found  it  difficult  to  attend 
the  North  Church,  and  others  could  not  do  so  at  all.  The  matter 
of  having  Sabbath  services  here  was  under  consideration  in  the 
summer  of  1869.  One  day  Mr.  Samuel  Beardslee  said  to  me, 
"  We  ought  to  have  a  church  of  our  own  at  Hamburg,  and  one 
man  has  promised  to  give  $250,  if  others  will  contribute  the  rest." 
The  same  evening  I  saw  the  person  mentioned,  and  he  introduced 
the  subject  of  a  new  church.  I  said,  "  If  you  will  secure  $1,000 
we  will  put  up  a  chapel.'*  In  three  or  four  days  he  called  to  say 
he  had  that  amount  subscribed.  The  subscribers  met  and  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  secure  a  site  and  begin  the  erection  of  a 
building.  Two  different  lots  were  offered  us,  one  adjoining  the 
Hamburg  school  house,  and  one  on  the  high  ground  toward  Ilar- 
dystonville.  We  finally  compromised  and  chose  a  location  mid- 
way between  the  two,  where  land  was  given  on  the  corner  of  the 
Turnpike  and  Kudeville  roads.  Here  formerly  stood  the  school 
house,  with  two  chimneys,  in  which  religious  services  were  held  in 
earlier  days.  Ground  was  broken  September,  1860,  and  forty- 
two  days  after  laying  the  first  stone  the  entire  stone  work, 
designed  to  be  put  up  at  that  time,  was  laid.  The  other 
work  went  on  rapidly,  and  we  opened  for  worship  a  part  of  the 
house,  and  held  a  service  the  first  Sabbath  afternoon  of  Decem- 
ber, 1869,  having  expended  $2,200.  The  largest  contributor  was 
Daniel  Haines,  and  the  next  Judge  William  E.  Skinner.  Much 
of  the  success  in  carrying  out  this  enterprise  was  due  to  Samuel 
A.  Beardslee.  A  number  of  others  contributed  largely,  so  that 
we  had  no  difficulty  in  paying  off  the  indebtedness  incurred.. 

The  Sunday  School  was  large  from  the  beginning,  tBie  con* 
gregations  fair  for  our  numbers  in  the  village,  and  w*  received! 
accessions  at  the  different  communion  seasons.  Among  our  male 
membership  were  a  large  number  qualified  to  take  part  in  prayer- 
meetings,  or  to  conduct  them  acceptably  themselves.     We  felt 


168  HARDYSTON  MEMORIAL. 

the  good  hand  of  our  God  with  us,  and  anticipated  prosperity 
for  days  to  come.  In  January,  1877,  the  deatli  of  Elder  Daniel 
Haines  occurred.  This  was  followed  by  other  deaths,  and  the 
removal  of  many  who  had  been  influential.  We  were  great!}'  re- 
duced in  strength  by  this  unexpected  loss  of  so  many  prominent  men. 

The  extension  of  the  church  was  necessarily  delayed  from 
weakness  and  poverty.  In  the  summer  of  1879  Mrs.  Matilda 
Fairchild,  the  widow  of  Rev.  Dr.  Elias  R.  Fairchild,  one  of  our 
former  pastors,  encouraged  me  to  renew  the  attempt  to  build,  by 
the  gift  of  $200,  and  the  promise  of  more  if  required.  This  she 
afterwards  supplemented  by  the  additional  gift  of  $500,  making 
$700  in  all.  Had  it  not  been  for  her  sympathy  and  donations, 
the  work  would  not  have  gone  on.  My  friend,  Colonel  Henry 
L.  Pierson  sent  me  word  that  he  would  give  $250.  The  matter 
was  laid  before  the  Board  of  Trustees,  who  authorized  me  to  go 
on  as  long  as  the  money  lasted,  but  not  to  incur  any  debt. 

Considerable  money  was  raised  among  ourselves  ;  the  work 
moved  slowly,  and  we  paid  as  we  progressed.  With  various  hin- 
drances and  interruptions,  and  notwithstanding  our  limited  re- 
sources, the  completed  house  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God 
May  18th,  1881.  The  following  minute  was  entered  in  the  Ses- 
sion Book  :  "  The  church  was  dedicated  free  from  debt,  and  the 
congregation  gratefully  acknowledge  the  kindness  of  the  Lord 
God  in  so  abundantly  prospering  their  endeavor  to  build  a  house 
to  his  name." 

The  rear  window  was  put  in  in  1883,  the  expense  of  which 
was  $360.  The  steeple  was  erected  in  IS 84  at  a  cost  of  $450. 
The  walls  were  frescoed  in  1887.  The  total  cost  being  nearly 
$8,000.  Some  parts  of  the  building  still  lack  completion.  It 
may  be  rightly  said  that  this  was  a  great  enterprise  for  our  con- 
gregation when  our  numbers  were  so  depleted  and  our  financial 
strength  so  weak. 

1  bear  testimony  to  the  affectionate  kindness  my  people  have 
ever  shown  me.  In  general  every  proposition  I  have  made  to 
them  for  temporal  improvement  or  christian  labor  has  had  their 
approval.  We  have  often  been  compelled  to  move  slowly  because 
of  limited  means,  but  in   the  end  have  carried  out  successfully 


CHUBCH    HISTORY    CONTINUED.  1(39 

every  project  upon  which  we  have  entered. 

Time  will  not  permit  ns  to  go  over  the  full  roll-call  of  be- 
loved brethren  who  have  gone  before  us  to  glory.  Death  has 
been  very  busy,  and  wonderful  changes  in  our  population  have 
taken  place.  Of  the  thirty-eight  communicants  who  formed  the 
church  in  1805,  five  only  are  attending  members.  We  have  laid 
more  in  the  churchyard  than  we  meet  on  the  Sabbath  day.  Oould 
we  summon  back  again  all  those  whom  we  have  buried,  a  whole 
church  could  not  seat  them. 

From  the  eldership,  we  have  lost  the  venerable  James  Con- 
leton,  one  of  the  best  of  men,  at  the  age  of  ninety-one  ;  Daniel 
Haines  for  forty  years  an  elder,  our  counsellor  and  guide  ;  Eras. 
tus  Congleton,  who  gave  promise  of  great  usefulness,  and  was 
called  away  while  still  a  young  man  ;  also  Levi  Oongletcn,  who 
returned  to  us  from  Sparta. 

Among  those  not  elders,  such  good  men  as  Lewis  ('.  iioe, 
Charles  Wade,  Thomas  Schofield  and  Henry  W.  Conplin  have 
passed  away.  There  were  others  who  did  not  become  communi- 
cants, yet  whose  hopes  and  sympathies  were  always  with  us,  and 
who  were  most  useful  in  the  congregation,  such  as  Doctor  William 
II.  Linn,  John  II.  Brown  and  Samuel  A.  Beardslee.  Among 
christian  women  we  have  a  noble  record  of  those  who  loved  their 
church  and  were  ready  for  every  good  work.  Of  these  we  men- 
tion Mrs.  Sarah  Beardslee  and  Mrs.  Lucilla  Price.  There  was 
one,  a  member  of  another  church,  but  ours  in  every  other  respect, 
a  friend  to  the  poor,  and  a  helper  in  every  benificent  enterprise, 
Mrs.  Lucy  Lovell  Brown. 

Think  not  that  invidious  distinctions  arc  made,  if  all  who 
have  been  honored  and  useful  are  not  mentioned  in  this  connec- 
tion. We  have  their  names  on  record,  and  their  memories  are 
cherished  in  our  hearts.  May  God  ever  give  our  congregation 
more  men  and  women  such  as  they. 

Something  of  this  church's  history  for  the  past  twenty-three 
years  has  been  given,  but  how  much  more  might  be  said.  There 
are  many  incidents  precious  to  memory,  yet  so  personal  and  in- 
dividual that  they  are  hardly  suited  to  a 'printed  book.  In  the 
humblest  efforts  I  have  seen  the  happiest  results  in  winning  souls. 


1"70  HARDYSTOX    MEMORIAL. 

Sometimes  men  have  been  won  in  a  moment;  at  other  times  after 
repeated  and  persistent  appeals. 

During  the  year  1887  we  lost  by  dismissions  twenty;  by 
deaths  four,  and  six  became  non-resident,  so  that  the  report  of 
April,  1888,  gave  137  as  the  membership  upon  the  revised  roll. 


HAMBURG  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

Thomas  Teasdale  came  from  Yorkshire,  England.  He 
brought  strong  letters  of  recommendation  to  the  Presbytery  of 
New  York  to  whom  he  applied  for  license  to  preach,  but  failing 
in  the  qualifications  required  his  license  was  not  given.  He  then 
became  a  Baptist  and  removed  to  Sussex.  His  house  was  in  Ver- 
non, a  little  beyond  McAfee,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain.  He 
preached  in  school  houses  and  private  dwellings,  and  organized  a 
church  in  Pochnnk  in  1708.  This  was  afterwards  merged  into 
the  Hamburg  Baptist  Church,  which  was  formed  in  1811.  His 
church  increased  in  numbers,  but  suffered  by  the  disruption  of 
1823,  when  an  influential  body  withdrew  and  formed  the  Frank- 
lin Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Teasdale  was  not  always  sound  in  doc- 
trine, yet  a  good  man,  sincere  and  earnest,  and  influential  with 
many.  He  spoke  a  broad  Yorkshire  dialect,  and  was  very  sharp 
in  denouncing  sin  and  used  cutting  words  in  argument.  He  died 
in  1827,  aged  75  yens,  and  was  buried  at  Hamburg. 

Extract  from  letter  written  by  T.  Lawrence,  Esq.,  to  his 
grandson,  James  Ludlum,  Jr.  : 

"  We  could  not  expect  in  this  retired  situation  to  be  gratified 
in  every  refinement,  and  altho'  the  person  under  whose  charge 
Providence  has  placed  us  for  our  religious  instruction  is  not  pos- 
sessed of  those  superior  attainments  that  many  others  are,  yet  we 
are  fortunate  in  having  one  who  from  the  purity  of  his  heart,  his 
perfect  acquaintance  with  sacred  writ,  and  the  unexceptionable 
tenor  of  his  conduct,  is  able  to  teach  us  our  duty,  and  what  he  may 
be  deficient  in  manner  is  made  up  to  us  in  matter.  I  trust  you 
will  agree  with  me  that  I  have  done  no  more  than  justice  in  delin- 
eating to  you  the  character  of  our  worthy  pastor,  Mr.  Teasdale."' 

He  took  pains  to  educate  his  sons  who  rose  to  prominent 


CHURCH    HISTORY    CONTINUED.  171 

positions,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  John,  who  preached  in 
Hamburg  four  years,  and  afterwards  at  Newton. 

For  two  years  the  church  was  supplied  by  Elders  ('.  Park 
and  Elias  Frost,  of  Franklin. 

William  II.  Spencer  was  a  blacksmith  in  Pochunk  at  the 
time  he  professed  conversion.  He  was  called  to  this  charge  in 
1838,  and  remained  for  seven  years  and  a  half.  He  succeeded  in 
bringing  a  great  many  into  his  church,  and  its  membership  was 
for  a  time  the  largest  of  any  congregation  in  the  county. 

Thomas  Davis,  who  was  born  and  educated  in  England,  came 
for  one  year,  1846  ;  and  some  time  later  supplied  the  pulpit  on  Sab- 
bath afternoons  while  he  was  pastor  at  Papakating.  This  excellent 
man,  useful  wherever  he  lived,  died  recently  in  Beverly,  X.  .1 
His  son,  Lt.  (Lionel  Ebenezer  W.  Davis,  was  Major  of  the  loth 
Regiment  1ST.  J.  Yols. 

John  Davis  succeeded  his  brother  Thomas  in  1847,  and  was 
here  for  nearly  three  years,  when  he  was  followed  by  Mr.  Hope. 

.1.  M.  Hope  accomplished  much  for  this  church,  and  with 
some  interruptions  continued  his  ministrations  for  several  years. 
It  was  mainly  through  his  endeavers  that  the  meeting  house  was 
rebuilt,  and  the  parsonage  and  lot  secured.  His  preaching  was 
spiritual,  and  although  fewer  were  brought  into  the  church  than 
under  some  others,  it  gained  in  substantial  strength. 

David  Silvek  began  his  ministry  here  January  1st,  1865.  He 
remained  until  1870,  when  he  accepted  a  charge  near  the  Dela- 
ware River,  in  Xew  York  State,  and  afterwards  another  some 
miles  from  Princeton,  X.  J.,  where  he  died.  While  here  his 
labors  were  successful,  and  one  winter  nearly  one  hundred  per- 
sons united  with  his  church. 

Charles  Millington  was  twice  called  to  be  pastor.  In  the 
the  interval  between  his  two  terms  of  service,  Edward  D.  Shule 
was  minister.  IT.  B.  GnscARD  has  recently  been  supplying  the 
church. 

The  congregation  sold  their  parsonage  property  in  Upper 
Hamburg,  and  have  built  a  more  commodious  house  for  their 
minister  nearer  their  place  of  worship. 

The    Franklin  Baptist  Church   was  organized    December 


172  HARDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

11th,  1823.  Its  corporate  members  were  Lucretia  Rorick, 
Michael  Rorick,  Noah  Hammond,  Catharine  Hammond,  Catha- 
rine Clay,  Clarissa  Sharp,  Hannah  Van  Wart,  Mary  Hammond, 
Spencer  Scott,  and  Fanny  Rull.  They  assumed  the  title  of  "  The 
First  Particular  Baptist  Church  of  Hardy ston."  Rev.  Zelotes 
Grenell  was  Moderator  at  the  constituting  of  the  church,  which 
lias  had'some  strong  members,  and  was  useful  while  it  continued. 
Death  made  inroads  among  their  numbers  and  so  greatly 
reduced  them,  that  the  regular  services  ceased  in  December,  1853. 

The  house  of  worship,  erected  in  1S3£,  was  leased  for  ten 
years  to  the  Presbyterians  of  the  North  Hardyston  congregation, 
by  whom  it  was  remodeled  and  put  in  substantial  repair.  It  is 
now  used  by  the  Franklin  Reformed  congregation,  which  was 
organized  in  1877,  and  of  which  Rev.  Gilbert  S.  Gabretson  is 
pastor. 

The  Catholic  Church  of  Franklin,  Church  or  the  Immacu- 
late Conception,  was  built  in  1863,  under  the  superintendence 
of  Rev.  Edward  McCosker,  who  was  its  pastor  until  1880.  The 
house  is  substantially  constructed  of  brick,  thirty  feet  wide  by 
seventy  feet  long.  Rev.  George  A.  Corrigan,  brother  of  the 
Archbishop  of  New  York,  succeeded  Mr.  McCosker,  and  he  was 
followed  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Hill,  who  has  recently  been  transferred 
to  Rahway.  The  congregation  possesses  a  handsome  brick  par- 
sonage, which  is  finely  located.  The  charge  was  divided  in  1881, 
when  a  congregation  was  organized  at  Ogdensburg,  and  the 
Church  of  St.  Thomas  of  Aquin  was  built. 

the  church  of  the  good  shepherd. 

The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  Hamburg  was  built  in 
1872-73,  upon  a  lot  of  land  donated  by  the  heirs  of  Robert 
A.  Linn.  The  building  is  of  blue  lime  stone,  twenty-five  by  forty 
feet,  with  the  chancel  extending  in  the  rear.  The  ceiling  is  pan- 
nelled  with  oiled  wood,  and  a  handsome  memorial  window  to  the 
memory  of  Miss  Kittie  Lawrence,  is  placed  in  the  chancel.  A 
large,  sweet-toned  bell  occupies  the  belfry. 

Rev.  IT.  P.  Stuart  Martin,  who  was  born  in  India,  was  the  first 


CHURCH    HISTORY    CONTINUED.  173 

missionary   pastor.      He   was    succeeded  in    1878  by  Rev.  Levi 
Johnson. 

The  church  was  consecrated  in  1880,  by  Bishop  Starkey,  of 
Northern  New  Jersey,  and  Bishop  Quintard,  of  Tennessee. 
Rev.  Joseph  H.  Smith,  formeivry  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Newark, 
is  the  Rector.  His  ministry  began  in  1882.  He  officiates  also  at 
St.  Thomas  Church,  in  Vernon. 

A  handsome  legacy  has  been  left  to  the  church  for  the  pur- 
chase of  a  memorial  organ. 

The  Snufftown  M.  E.  Church  was  built  sixty  years  ago. 
Manuel  Force  was  then  Presiding  Elder,  and  Shaw  and  Dandy 
were  preachers  upon  the  circuit.  Ketcham,  the  carpenter,  came 
from  "Warwick.  Stated  preaching  has  been  maintained  there 
ever  since  its  erection.  It  has  been  blessed  with  many  seasons  of 
revival  in  which  the  hardy  dwellers  on  the  mountain  have  been 
gathered  into  its  fold. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 


REGISTER  OF  NORTH   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  <>!•'  JIARDYSTQN. 
MINISTERS. 

Edward  Allen,  from  June,  1810,  to  December,  1820. 
Bun-  Baldwin,  from  July,  1821,  to  May,  1824. 
Nathaniel  Conkling,  from  June,  1S24,  to  June,  1828. 
Elias  Kiggs  FairchiJd,  from  September,  1829,  to  May,  1838. 
Joel  Campbell,  from  May,  1838,  to  October,  1856. 
David  C.  Meeker,  from  April,  1857,  to  August,  1859. 
Goodloe  Bowman  Bell,  from  October,  1859,  to  Oct.,  18G4. 
Alanson  Austin  Haines,  from  July,  1805,  to  present  time. 

ELDERS. 

John  Linn,  May,  1819,  died  1821. 

George  Buckley,  May,  1819,  dismissed  1837. 

Thomas  Beardslee,  Dec,  1821,  dismissed  1831. 

James  Congleton,  Dec,  1821,  died  1871. 

Samuel  Turtle,  Ma}*,  1S23,  died  1861. 

Daniel  Edwards,  April,  1824,  dismissed  1825. 

Jacob  Kimble,  June,  1827,  died  1803. 

Andrew  Linn,  June,  1827,  dismissed  1848. 

Daniel  Haines,  July,  1837,  died  1877. 

Elias  L'Hommedieu,  July,  1837,  dismissed  1845. 

Simon  W.  Buckley,  April,  1848,  dismissed. 

Joshua  Predmore,  April,  1848,  dismissed. 

Samuel  O.  Price,  February,  1866. 

Levi  Congleton,  February,  1866,  dismissed  1879. 


EEGISTEK  01"  NORTH  PBESBYTERIAJS  CHUECH  OF  HABDY8TON.       175 

John  L.  lirown,  February,  1868,  dismissed  1881. 

John  E.  Congleton,  October,  1876,  died  1879. 

William  E.  Skinner,  Oct.,  1870,  dismissed  1878. 
;;"  Charles  II.  Linn,  April,  1878. 
*  W.  Hooker  Ingersoll,  April,  1878. 

*     Now  in  office. 


CHUKCH     MEMBERS. 

sote. —  Those  uniting  upon  certificate  are  marked  thus  "C.  " 

181  9.  ,1  ohn  Linn  C,  Martha  Linn  C,  Elizabeth  Linn  C,  Marga- 
ret Simmons  C,  Kitty  PerigoC,  Widow  Parkhurst  C,  Widow  Mary 
Buckley  C,  Gabriel  Payne  C,  Richard  Whitaker  C,  Elizabeth  Whit- 
aker  C,  Sarah  Van  DuzenC,  Seth  Byram  C,  Sarah  Byram  C,  Daniel 

B.  Wilcox  C,  Cornelius  Demarest  C,  Mary  Demarest  C,  Peter 
Demorest  (  \  Jane  Demarest  C,  Catherine  Nesbit  C,  Peter  Shirts  C, 
Jane  Shirts  C,  Jane  McDaniels  C,  Thomas  Beardslee  C,  Rachel 
Beardslee  C,  Melinda  Beardslee  (  ,  ffunice  Munson  C,  Catherine 
Gunderman  C,  Margaret  Knoff  C, -Widow  Anna  Hammond  C, 
Hannah  Carpenter  0,  Elizabeth  Beardslee  C,  Hannah  Fairchild 

C,  Sarah  Linn  C,  George  Buckley  C,  Margaret  Buckley  C,  Elsey 
Buckley  ( ',  Peter  Simmons  ( !,  Isaac  Stirr  (  \  Mary  Stirr  C,  Eliza- 
beth Demarest  C,  Joseph  Perigo  ( J,  Nancy  ( uirdiner  C,  Sarah 
Harding  C,  Abigail  Barton  C,  Sarah  Barton  C,  Widow  Abigail 
Wade  C,  Mrs.  Peter  AVhitaker  C,  Daniel  Edwards  (',  Widow 
Mary  Adams  ( ',  Sarah  I  )emarest  ( '.  Widow  Mary  McDaniels  C, 
Martha  Barr  C. 

The  above  52  were  received  by  certificate  from  the  First 
church  of  Hardyston  and  organized  as  the  North  Church  of  llar- 
dyston,  May  15th,  1819. 

Abigail  Losey,  James  Gardiner,  Mary  Gardiner,  Ruhama 
Wade,  Ann  Beardslee,  Jacob  Kimble,  Bethia  Kimble,  Andrew 
Johnson,  James  Congleton,  Catherine  Struble,  Martha  Demarest, 
John  Crawford,  Thomas  Gardiner,  Coonrod  AVatson,  Elizabeth 
AVatson,  Abigail  Ellison,  Julia  Carpenter,  Mary  (Givens)  Brasted, 
Pamelia  Barton,  Peter  Taylor,  Hannah  Taylor^  Mary  Case,  Panie- 
lia  Howell,  Lydia  Crawford,  Samuel  Tuttle",  Peter  Demarest,  Erne 
Demarest. 

1820.  Horace  Ford,  Ebenezer  Tuttle,  Ann  Gardiner,  Rhoda 
Crawford,  Hannah  Beardslee,  Lydia  Tuttle,  Abraham  Johnson, 
Hannah  Ackerman,  Elizabeth  Congleton,  AVillard  Fletcher,  Abi- 


170  HAKDYSTON  MEMORIAL. 

gail  Johnson  C,  Aaron  Ackerson,  Sophia  Hopkins. 

1822.  Jane  Jones  C,  Sarah  Simpson  C,  Eliza  Fowler  C, 
Mary  Edsall  C,  John  Hubbard  C,  Elizabeth  Sharp  C,  Lucy  In- 
glis,  llhoda  Kay,  William  A.  Thompson. 

1823.  Conrad  Tinker  C,  Annie  Tinker  C. 

1824.  Andrew  Linn,  James  Johnson,  John  Payne,  Rebecca 
Hardin,  Emily  II.  Conkling,  Mary  Ann  Linn,  Snsan  Losey,  Eliza- 
beth  McDaniels,  Ayres  Ackerson,  Betsey  By  ram. 

1825.  Samuel  Payne,  Annie  Newman,   Catherine   Dema- 

rest,  Ann  Eliza  Simmons,  Jane ,  Rebecca  Fowler, 

Sarah  AVidner. 

1826.  Cornelia  L'Hommedieu  C,  Margaret  Lane  C,  Rose 
Knox. 

1827.  Garret  Van  Blareom,  Mary  Van  Blarcom,  Elizabeth 
Sutton,  Sarah  Case,  Jemima  Predmore,  Joshua  Predmore,  Mich- 
ael P.  Sutton,  Henry  Johnson,  Mark  Buckley,  John  Nixon,  Abra- 
ham Ray,  Sarah  A.  Buckley,  Anna  Crawford,  Mary  Buckley, 
Anna  Predmore,  Sally  Ann  Predmore,  Ann  Forester,  Elizabeth 
AVolverton,  Mary  Haines  ( ',  Joseph(Cole,  Nancy  Cole,  Margaret 
McClellan,  Sibella  Linn,  Eleanor  Ketehem,  Jane  ( Vawford,  Rachel 
Armstrong,  Martha  McCoy. 

1829.  Mary  Whitaker,  Sarah  Degraw,  Delilah  Sloat,  Jane 
Congleton,  Addie  Tice,  Clarissa  Newman. 

1830.  Maria  Price  C,  Elizabeth  Bunting  C,  Maria  Price, 
Phebe  Ann  Wilson,  Martha  Demarest,  ":fHenrietta  Linn,  Isaac 
IVardsley,  Elizabeth  Marccll  C. 

1831.  Catherine  Drain,  Emeline  D.  Stoll,  Mary  ().  Darrah 
C,  Aaron  Woodruff  C,  Phebe  AVoodruft'  C,  Elias  L.  Hommedieu, 
Robert  Haines,  Dorothy  Stoll,  Catherine  Shiner,  John  Newman, 
Joel  Buckley,  Robert  Buckley,  ( 'atherine  Stoll,  Mary  Yetman, 
""Maria  Schoh'eld,  Susan  Beardslee,  -Catherine  Beardslee,  Jane 
Buckley,  Charlotte  H.  Tuttle,  Mary  Jane  AVade,  Lydia  Kimble, 
Sarah  Beardslee,  Henry  T.  Darrah,  AVilliam  C.  Predmore,  Philip 
Losey,  Elias  Potter,  Huldah  S.  Beardslee,  Amy  Tuttle,  Ann  Pred- 
more, Martha  A.  AVolverton,  Jonathan  Sutton,  Phebe  A.  Max- 
well, Justice  Beardslee,  Elizabeth  Darrah,  Eliza  A.  Hopkins, 
Mahala  Lose}-,  Julia  A.  AVhitaker,  Alanson  Predmore,  Delilah 
Predmore,  Edwin  Luckley,  Thomas  Brasted,  William  Darrah, 
Daniel  Haines,  Ann  M.  Haines,  Diadamia  Haines,  John  C.  Bunt- 
ing, Elizabeth  A.  Sheppard,  Ephraim  Potter,  Calvin  Meade,  Levi 
Congleton,  Martha  AVarbass,  Mary  Gibson,  Henry  AV.  Ogden, 
Robert  Price,  Charlotte  Hopkins,  Elizabeth  Gunderman,  Susan 
Beardslee,  Peter  Gunderman,  Martha  M.  AVarbass  C,  Mary  Steph- 
ens C. 


REGISTER  OF  NORTH  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  OK  HARDYSTON.      1  77 

Note. — Those  marked  *  are  members  at  the  present  time. 

1832.  Fhebe  Potter,  Lewis  C.  Roe  C,  Terressa  Roe  C, 
Aim  R.  Stoll,  Sarah  Potter,  Enos  Goble  C,  Rebecca  Goble  C, 
Eliza  Van  Blarcom,  Mary  Gunderman,  Sarah  Byram,  Sarah  Ed- 
sall,  Julia  Denton,  Mary  Monnell,  Catherine  (DeKay)  McMurray, 
Phebe  Harden,  Elizabeth  Vandegriff,  Moses  Strong,  John  Pred- 
more,  John  Dunning,  David  Byram,  James  T.  Newman,  William 
Van  Blarcom,  David  Dunn,  Jacob  Gimderman,  Catherine  Knofr, 
Drucilla  Predmore,  Daniel  Gimderman,  Jacob  C.  Maxwell,  Joseph 
P.  Fraser,  Abraham  Stoll,  James  Byram,  William  Gimderman, 
John  Poller,  Mahala  Polley,  Araminta  (Polley)  Doland,  William 
Beardslee,  Benjamin  Valentine,  Rebecca  Turner,  Catharine  A. 
(Sutton)  Van  Blarcom,  Simon  Wade  Buckley,  Samuel  Schofield 
Beardslee,  William  Gimderman,  Jacob  KnofT,  Jane  Skellinger, 
Sarah  Hopkins,  Mary  Valentine,  Rachel  DeKay,  Sarah  Vande- 
griff, Elizabeth  Myers,  Susan  Van  Blarcom,  Ann  Freeman,  Susan 
.Kimble,  Matthias  C.  Lane,  Margaret  Buckley,  Daniel  Lane,  Susan 
(Freeman)  Vanatta,  Mary  Tiebout,  Sarah  Bay,  Frances  Worten- 
dyke,  James  Hutchinson,  Mary  Tiebout,  Araminta  Douglas, 
Matilda  Fairchild  C,  Matthias  II.  Ogden  C,  Jerusha  Ogden  C, 
Sarah  Shorter  C,  Jacob  Myers  (',  Esther  Dunning  ( '. 

1833.  Samuel  Stage,  Lucetta  Stage,  Mary  Hopkins,  Eliza 
Ilurd,  Charles  W.  Buckley. 

1831.  Samuel  Knox,  Alfred  Buckley,  Janetta  Knox,  (Cathe- 
rine Yetman,  Mary  Beardslee,  Nancy  Knox,  Richard  Whitaker 
Jr.,  Sidnej'  P.  Haines,  Robert  A.  Linn,  Jr.,  Anna  Brodrick,  Sam- 
uel Mnnson,  "Samuel  O.  Price,  Eliza  Losey,  Elizabeth  Munson, 
Elizabeth  Newman,  Nancy  Little,  diaries  Wade,  Peter  Van 
Home,  Sarah  L'Hommedieu,  Maria  Bungay,  Mary  Rosencrantz, 
John  Darrah  C,  Agnes  Darrah  C,  Thomas  Tiebout,  Stephen 
Staats  Tiebout,  Harry  Tiebout.  Paris  Douglas,  Jane  (Knox)  Ston- 
aback. 

1839.  Aaron  Houston,  Elijah  Martin.  Lewis  Gunderman, 
David  F.  Stoll,  Sarah  D.  Stoll,  Phebe  J.  Byram,  Emily  (Polley) 
Luckey,  Bertha  Tuttle,  Charlotte  (Kimble)  Smith,  Mary  Todd, 
Julia  E.  Edsall,  Ann  Congleton,  Mary  L.  Shiner,  Halsey  L.  Beem- 
er,  Joseph  Congleton,  AVilliam  Jackson  C,  Mrs.  Jackson  C. 

1839.  Rebecca  Campbell  C,  Horace  Taylor  C,  Catherine 
Lewis  C,  Elizabeth  Hamilton  C,  Ann  Anderson. 

1840.  Simeon  Hand,  Jane  Westfall  C,  Phebe  Kinner  C, 
Julia  Ann  Cassady  C,  Alanson  Predmore  C,  Mrs.  Predmore  C, 
Elizabeth  Decker  C,  Phebe  E.  Martin. 

1841.  Brice  P.  Edsall  C,  James  B.  Case,  Ruth  Woodruff, 
Elizabeth  Case,  Joseph  Linn,  Ilnldah  Beardslee  C. 


178  IIAKDYSTON    MEMORIAL. 

1542.  Elizabeth  Smith  C,  Phebe  Lewis  C,  Abigail  Dema- 
rest,  Elias  Freeman  0,  Clarissa  Perrj  C,  Hiram  Predmore,  Sarah 
Skellinger,  Phebe  Mackerly,  Phebe  Ann  Sutton,  Ellen  Ludlum, 
Hannah  E.  (Sutton)  Ayres,  Mary  A.  Van  Blarcom,  Margaret  Mc- 
Donalds, Mary  Woodruff,  Reuben  R.  Sutton,  Mary  (L'Homme- 
dieu)  Moore,  Lucy  Ann  (Sutton)  Sibbit,  Ralph  Push,  Jacob  L, 
Bedell,  Joseph  F.  M.  Sutton.  -  Alanson  A.  Haines,  Abraham  Stoll. 
Abby  Tuttle,  John  ( louplin  ( !,  Isabella  Couplin  C,  "Hiram  Aber, 
Frances  E.  (Neely)  Byram,  Phebe  E.  (Moore)  Edsall,  William 
Lane,  Belinda  Bay,  Nancy  Munson,  Theodocia  Munson,  Caroline 
Rosencrantz,  William  L'Hommedieu,  Jane  Decker  ( '. 

1843.  Phebe  Woodruff,  Martha  Demarest  C,  Eliza  Ann 
Gunderman. 

1840.     Sarah  (Byram)  (  ase. 

1847.  Joseph  McDaniels. 

1848.  Catharine  J.  Sutton,  George  Case,  Daniel  P.  Wood- 
ruff C. 

1849.  Sarah  D.  (Haines)  Guyot,  Eleazer  Cassady,  Marga- 
ret Knox,  Amanda  (Campbell)  Kimble,  "Ann  (Siinonson)  Ed- 
sall. 

1850.  Hannah  Hopkins,  Sarah  Woodruff,  Sarah  Maria 
('ase,  Catharine  (Hopkins)  Hunt,  Matilda  Kimble,  Mary  Kimble, 
Mary  Sutton,  Retina  Hopkins,  Phebe  (Hopkins)  Woodruff,  Lucy 
E.  (Wilson)  Vaughn,  Louisa  J.  Ray,  Rebecca  Smith,  Talmage 
Woodruff,  Jacob  R.  Lyon,  Elias  F.  Sutton. 

1851.  Matilda  (McManoman)  (longer,  Matilda  (JBrasted) 
Simmons,  Lucetta  (Roe)  Congleton,  Julia  Woodruff  ( '. 

1853.     William  Roy  (  /Mrs.  Roy  C. 

1S55.     Matilda  F.  Sutton,  Rachel  McDaniels  C. 

1858.  Levi  L-  Hoffman, -John  P.  Wilson,  George  O.  Wil- 
son, Anna  M.  (Wilson)  Van  Blarcom,  Catharine  K.  (Beardslee) 
Lewis,  Annie  A.  (Austin)  Hell,  Mary  F.  (Day)  Davenport,  Har- 
riet E.  (Smith)  Everman,  Sarah  (Cassady)  Howell,  Charlotte 
Congleton,  Nancy  (Scott)  Benjamin,  Amy  Buckley  C.  "Amelia 
M.  (Dunning)  Linn  C,  Philanda  D.  (Roe)  Wickham,  Keturah 
Roe,  Alexander  II.  Roe,  Nancy  A.  Meeker  C. 

1859.  John  A.  Congleton  C,  Theresa  Agustine  Austin  C, 
Sarah  C.  Fowler  C,  Ann  M.  (Haines)  Tucker. 

1860.  Phebe  Congleton,  Mary  (Potter)  Dennis,  Eliza  Ann 
(Van  Syckle)  Stoll,  Dorcas  C.  Potter,  Lucy  Potter,  Sarah  Cornelia 
Brasted,  Amelia  Perry,  John  Rutan  C,  Anna  P.  Rutan  C,  Abby 
Jane  (Wade)  Mains,  John  Lovell  Brown. 

1862.  Thomas  Schofield,  Mary  E.  Schofield,  Catherine  Rosc- 
velt,  Lauretta  Amelia  Howell. 


REG1STEK  OK  NORTH   PRESBYTERIAN  CHUKC11  OF  II  A  KM  >1  ST<  >.\.      179 

1863.     Mary  Ann  Heardslee. 

1865.     Barret  Havens  Titsworth. 

1800.  John  Erastus  Congleton,  *Anna  Mary  (Hiles)  Con- 
gleton,  *Merinda  Shepherd,  Lucilla  (Kimble)  Price. 

1807.  James  Mantania,  "Sarah  C.  Ingersoll  C,  Almeda 
Predmore  (',  George  Porter,  '"'( "larinda  Fowler  C,  Elias  Frost, 
John  Miller  Longcore,  David  Fredenburg  Longcore,  Fowler  Kim- 
ble. 

1868.  Benjamin  If.  Kays,  Henry  Winters,  "Martha  Elizabeth 
(Longcore)  Lantz,  Margaret  (Edge)  Longcore,  "Charles  Witworth 
Lewis,  *Alfred  Wyckoff  Johnson,  Mary  Ann  Kimble,  John  M. 
Minion  C. 

18G9.     Elizabeth  Ann  Minion. 

1868.  Georgianna  Lucy  (Sutton)  Tibbetts,  Jennie  E.  Stoll. 

1869.  *  Joseph  Johnson,  Ruth  Hughes  Kimble,  William  Ers- 
kine  Skinner  ( 1,  Mary  L.  (Ryerson)  Skinner  C,  William  T.  Cogg- 
shall  C,  Julia  W.  (Ingergsoll)  Coggshall  C,  Sarah  Elizabeth 
(Minion)  Allen,  *  Annie  (Ogden)  Beardslee  ( '. 

1870.  Susan  Copeland  (Ingersoll)  Brown,  "Susan  (Hop- 
kins) Kimble,  Amzie  Roe,  ^Charles  Roe. 

1871.  Henry  Wintield  Couplin  C,  Alonzo  James  Williams, 
*James  Woods,  Hannah  (Edsall)  Lawrence,  "Elizabeth  (McMan- 
ns)  Woods,  *Letta  (Force)  Dennis,  William  Radley,  Mary  Rad- 
ley, Joseph  C.  Piatt  Jr.  C,  Kate  J.  Platte  C,  Ruth  Simpson, 
Jacob  Kimble,  Margaret  (Sharp)  Kimble,  Isabella  ('oats,  Alice 
Ann  Kemble,  Sarah  Victoria  Poland,  "Mary  Catherine  (Poland) 
Simpson,  Robert  Morgan,  Anna  Morgan,  "Matthias  Shepherd, 
*Worthington  Hooker  Ingersoll,  *Sarah  Boswell  (Ingersoll)  Law- 
rence, Emeline  (Longcore)  Pellett,  John  Wesley  Black,  "William 
Henry  Spangenburg,  "Margaret  McManus,  Sarah  Amanda  Pig- 
gery, ""James  PeWitt  ( J,  Nancy  DeWitt,  Emma  Sykes,  Sarah 
Dickinson,  Albert  A.  Northwood  C,  "Mary  (Townsend)  Haines 
C,  "Abigail  Green ,  Amanda  Ellen  Snook,  x\sa  B.  Peloubet  C, 
John  Kerr  C,  Helen  Kerr  C,  Mary  Jane  (Stonaback)  Montross, 
George  Martin,  Annie  Martin,  Helen  Elizabeth  01  man,  Lisa  C. 
Anderson,  Frederick  William  Kehren. 

1872.  Seymour  Lawrence,  Elizabeth  Pollock  Prentice  C, 
Andrew  Shorter  C,  Margaret  Shorter  0.  *Franeis  Henry  Tucker. 

1873.  Caroline  Seward  Kehren,  Harriet  Iona  Williams, 
:fElizabeth  Kirkwood  (Skinner)  Linn,  *  Julia  (Vibbert)  Linn  C, 
"Charles  H.  Linn  C,  John  Edgar  C,  Jeannette  K.  Edgar  C, 
Tliomas  Warren  Pellet. 

1874.  *Laura  (Woods)  Havens,  James  Prentice,  William 
Simpson  Chardavoyne,  Robert  H.  Howell,  Emerson  Bennett  Pot- 


180  IIAKDYSTON     MEMORIAL. 

ter,  Julia  (Simpson)  Chardavoyne. 

1ST5  *Lizzie  (Bishop)  Stevens,  "Elizabeth  Ann  (Case) 
Kays,  *Daniel  Stewart  McPeek,  ••Margaret  E.  (Cary)  McPeek, 
Isabel  Shorter. 

1876.  Elizabeth  C.  (Ingersoll)  Gill  C,  Ilila  G  Brown  C, 
Darius  M.  Brown,  Frederick  Goodell,  "Caroline  Bishop,  Kate 
Barber,  Marcus  Barnes  Duvall  C,  Laura  Lovell  (Brown)  Lawrence, 
George  Ryerson  Skinner. 

1877.  Sarah  G  (Munson)  Bird  ( ',  Sarah  Jane  Ward,  Susan 
Yansyckle,  Albert  Stoll,  Eva  Couse  C,  Susie  Maria  Gill,  Cecil 
Dunscombe  Peloubet,  Elizabeth  (Lewis)  Shorter  C,  John  Robert 
Spittle,  Julia  Spittle,  Estin  Peloubet,  James  Shorter,  "Sarah  Jane 
Drew. 

1868.     -Sarah  Elizabeth  (Perry)  Bross. 

L879.  John  Beemer  Shorter,  John  Munson,  Jr.,  Wilbur 
Lazier  Paddock,  "-"Nathan  Paddock,  Benjamin  Decker  Potter, 
-Susan  Dymock,  Ellen  Eliza  Young. 

1880.  Burtis  C.  Megie,  Jr.,  Daniel  Hopkins   Kimble. 

1881.  -Maria  (Osborn)  Scott, 

18S2.  Mary  Jane  (Washer)  Wilson,  Carrie  Teressa  Wick- 
ham,  Mary  Lucetta  Wickham,  Mary  Ann  Cantield,  Jeremiah 
Canfield,  "'Benjamin  Scott,  "'Emma  L.  (Stoll)  Price,  "Alta  Woods, 
Josephine  Woods,  "Experience  Elizabeth  (Woods)  Hamilton, 
"Mary  Dunning  Linn,  "Ella  A.  (Congleton)  Doland,  ""'Mary  Eliz- 
abeth'' (Smith ("Shorter  C,  "Richard  YanDerhoof  C,  "Mary  F. 
YanDerhoof  C,  """Stephen  Boy  Fitz  Randolph  C,  "Alary  Emma 
(Baxter)  Fitz  Randolph,  Sarah  Elizabeth  Ward. 

1883.  S.  Alice  Simpson,  Elizabeth  Teel  C,  Irene  Ward, 
Charlotte  Johnson,  -Julia  Johnson,  "Bethia  Alward,  John 
Mabee,  Carrie  Westbrook  (Roc)  Mabee,  Arminda  F.  Lewis, 
"Francis  C.  Sheldon  C,  Gabriel  Ludlum  Dunning  C,  Martha 
(Haines)  Ilendershot. 

1884.  Sarah  Jane  Lanterman  C,  "ilattie  (Baker)  Ingersoll, 
Daniel  L.  Ogden  C,  *David  Doland,  "Marvin  Clement  Potter, 
^Cecelia  Ella  Potter,  Cora  Ogden,  Cora  Ogden  Beardslec,  "Lucy 
Electa  Walling,  Alida  Ellen  (YanDerhoof)  Ogden,  "James  W. 
Latta. 

1885.  Mary  Ann  (Morgan)  Talmage,  Amelia  Clara  (Roe) 
Wickham,  "Sarah  Ella  (Congleton)  Fredenburg,  "Martin  Mabee 
Fredenburg,  *Frank  Smith  Lanterman,  Fred  Irving  Congleton, 
"Emma  Elizabeth  Bird,  *Sarah  Elizabeth  Ryerson,  """George 
Washington  Ryerson,  Jehiel  T.  Lanterman,  -Ephraim  Martin 
Kimble,  "Levi  Coursen  Pollison,  "John  Bishop,  Henry  Ogden 
Beardslee,  Norman   Nanny   Johnson,   '-Esther   Osborn,    -'Emma 


REGISTER  OF  NORTH   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  OF  HARDYSTON.       181 

Jane  Dymock,  *Erama  Grace  VanDenhoof,  *Ella  Drew,  *Emily 
Louisa  (Monks)  Corner,  *Edward  DeKay  Totten,  *Plurania  Tot- 
ten  *Mary  Jeanetta  (Haight)  Latta,  *Abby  Delia  (Haight)  Booth, 
^Theodore  Talma^e,  *Moses  Piggery,  *Mary  Irene  (Blair)  Mor- 
gan, William  L.  Finnegan,  Laura  Ellen  (Morgan)  Talmage,  "Wil- 
liam Pollison  Blair,  *James  G.  Irvin  0,  "Sarah  C.  Irvin  C, *Min- 
nie  May  Irvin  C,  Aaron  Mead  C,  Jennie  Burwell  Meade  C,  *Na- 
thaniel  E.  Seely  C,  "Michael  Sutton  Bedell  C,  *Susan  M.  Bedell 
C,  *  Angelina  M.  (Bedell)  Simonson  C,  "Mary  Case,  *Hattie  Ann 
(Hopkins)  Wheden,  *Lucilla  Price  Kimble,  ^Martha  Florence 
Lantz,  "William  Marshall  Lantz,  ^Charlotte  A.  Kimble  C,  *Saron 
Leport  Wilson,  *Anna  Mary  (McPeek)  Wilson,  ""Cornelia  (Simp- 
son) Stonaback,  "George  Washington  Smith,  Gilbert  B.  Winters, 
*Malvina  Delia  Potter,  *Etta  Delilah  Scott. 

18S6.  Emma  Louisa  Dingle,  *John  Ryerson  Walling, 
*Charles  Elmer  Martin,  "Henry  Divers  Bond,  *Annetta  Bond, 
*Charles  McClellan  Paddock,  * Israel  Davenport  Chardevoyne, 
*  Joseph  Everett  Bond,  Nathaniel  Drake  Martin,  John  Wesley 
Monks,  *William  D.  Beemer  C,  *Mary  Alice  Beemer  C,*Ilannah 
M.  Piggery  C,  ^Harriet  W  infield  C,  *  Joanna  (Chardavoyne)  Read 
C,  *Matilda  (Read)  Simonson,  *Sarah  Jane  (Smith)  Chardavoyne, 
*Barret  Havens  Chardavoyne,  ""Sarah  Alice  Alward,  *  Abraham 
Winfield,  Almeda  (Edsall)  Winfield,  *Anna  Estelle  Chardavoyne, 
*Hattie  Sutton  Chardavoyne. 

1887.  *Horatio  Seymour  Potter,  *John  N.  Decker  C,  *Mary 
R.  Decker  C. 

1888.  *John  C.  Chandler  C,  *Lucy  C.  Chandler  C,  *  Annie 
(McPeek)  Woods,  *Thomas  R.  Simpson  C,  Mary  Alice  Terhune. 


